Republic of Mauritius- Maldives solicits Mauritius’ support to host Indian Ocean Islands Games 2023

In this context, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Maldives, ​ Mr Abdulla Shahid, accompanied by the Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, Mr Ahmed Mahloof, paid a courtesy call, yesterday, on the Prime Minister, Minister of Home Affairs, External Communications and National Development Unit, Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Mr Pravind Kumar Jugnauth, at the New Treasury Building in Port Louis. 

In a statement, after the meeting, the Maldives Minister of Foreign Affairs said that both the Maldives Minister of Sports and himself have been sent as special envoys of the President of Maldives, Mr Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, to seek the assistance and guidance of Mauritius in supporting Maldives if ever the country is hosting the 2023 IOIG.

According to him, it is high time that Maldives returned the hospitality that has been given to the Maldives athletes by Indian Ocean islands who have previously hosted the Indian Ocean Islands Games. He added that Maldives is ready to receive the athletes and sportsmen and invited all Mauritian athletes to participate in the IOIG 2023 and visit Maldives. 

For his part, Minister Mahloof pointed out that Maldives will have some 200 athletes participating in the 2019 IOIG and is expecting medals in the following disciplines: athletics, table tennis, badminton, and volleyball. He recalled that Maldives have participated in the IOIG since 1979 and that the country has solicited support of other island countries namely: Madagascar, Seychelles, and Comoros in hosting the IOIG 2023.

The IOIG, a multi-sports event is held every four years and this year, Mauritius has the privilege of hosting the Games.