The names of the ten high level athletes who will receive the monthly allowance of Rs 30,000 over a one-year period for the preparation of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, as stipulated in Budget 2023-2024, were announced, today, by the Minister of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, Mr Stephan Toussaint.
He was speaking at a press conference held at the seat of the Ministry in Port Louis to elaborate on budgetary measures aimed at continuously supporting local athletes and promoting the development of youth and sports in the country.
The athletes benefitting from the monthly allowance are as follows: Ms Noemi Alphonse; Ms Anais Angeline; Mr Roberto Michel; Ms Brandy Perrine; Mr Richarno Colin; Mr Merven Clair; Mr Remi Feuillet; Ms Christianne Legentil; Ms Priscilla Morand; and Mr Noa Bibi.
The Minister elaborated on several projects that are currently being undertaken at the level of youth and sports. They comprise: the international friendly football series organised by the Club M; the ‘natation scolaire’ project for Grade 4 students; and the Outdoor Education project for Grade 10 to Grade 13 students to build stewardship towards the environment.
In a bid to continuously support local athletes, Minister Toussaint pointed out that Budget 2023-2024 allocates Rs 53 million for the participation of some 450 athletes in the Indian Ocean Island Games 2023 to be held in Madagascar.
Mr Toussaint further spoke of the provision of residential training facilities made available at the Pointe Jerome Centre to a group of elite athletes who are actively preparing for the Olympic Games. He also indicated that some 271 athletes including para-athletes are currently being trained in 18 sports disciplines at the High-Performance Centre in Côte d’Or.
Another budgetary measure, he emphasised, includes the allowance to some 110 high-level athletes to be reinstated to pre-pandemic levels while adding that the allowance will be further increased by 15 %.
The Minister highlighted several projects such as the Street Dance Battle, ‘Zenes Montrer To Talan’, Acapella competition, and ‘Carrefour des Jeunes’.
Mr Toussaint also spoke of the revamping of various Youth Centres across the country.
