Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that it is the Mauritius Football Association which is responsible for applying for homologation of a stadium in Mauritius. In order for a stadium to host international football matches, they need to get homologation by the Confédération Africaine de Football. The CAF is the governing body for football in Africa and is one of the sixth continental confederation that make up the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, that is, FIFA. The mandatory requirement to get homologation includes compliance with, inter alia – • administration, documentation; • pitch or field of play; • technical areas of equipment; • dressing room; • team and official facilities; • match official; • doping and Video Assistant Referee (VAR); • spectator areas and sitting; • safety, security and emergency services; • media, press and broadcast and lighting power, and

52 • communication. Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that my Ministry is working in close collaboration with the MFA towards the homologation of two stadiums. It was in this endeavour that inspection of both the New George V Stadium and the Anjalay Coopen Stadium was carried out by Mr Joshua Knipp, CAF Stadium Inspector, during his mission to Mauritius from 27 to 29 June 2025. Following the CAF inspection, the MFA was informed that both the Anjalay Coopen Stadium and New George V Stadium currently do not meet the minimum CAF Stadium requirement to host international matches. The CAF Inspector highlighted that the Anjalay Coopen Stadium requires major upgrading works in several areas to meet homologation requirement. The report also stated that the New George V Stadium would require a full revamp and redesigned to comply with CAF Stadium standard. Madam Speaker, I wish to highlight that the absence of a homologation does not prevent the playing of local football matches in these stadiums. Nevertheless, my Ministry has worked out a costing of the project and it goes without saying that significant fund will be required for such work. The upgrading works have already started on both stadium and will be carried out in phases. My Ministry will continue to collaborate with the MFA and all relevant stakeholders to ensure that the upgrading works meet CAF standard and fully the requirement for homologation. A fresh inspection for the homologation process will be initiated once the required works have been completed.

Yes, one question!

Madame la présidente, je vous remercie. Peut-on déduire de par la réponse de l’honorable ministre que son ministère de même que la MFA vont faire de l’homologation de ces deux stades une priorité de façon à ce que les matches de la sélection nationale ne se jouent pas uniquement au stade de Côte d’Or devant moins de cinq mille spectateurs ? Alors ma question est : est-ce que l’honorable ministre est en train de donner une priorité à ces deux stades pour être homologués dans un proche avenir ?

Madam Speaker, like I said in my reply, the answer is here. We are doing our best so that the two stadiums be homologated in the near future.

And upgraded. Okay.

Madame la présidente, rapidement, une dernière question.

53 L’honorable ministre est sans doute au courant que par rapport aux deux derniers jeux des îles qui ont été organisés ici à Maurice, l’État a dépensé plus de R 230 million pour la rénovation du stade George V. Donc, peut-on savoir depuis son entré en fonction en tant que ministre de Sport…

Là, vous parlez d’un autre stade ?

Non, George V. C’est le même. Peut-on savoir quelles sont les mesures qu’il a prises pour rénover et s’il y a eu effectivement des rénovations qui ont été effectuées au stade George V ?

Madam Speaker, we have waited for ten years. I have said in my reply that we are going by phases and the hon. Member should follow what the answer was. We are doing our best.

For both stadiums.

For both stadiums.

Yes, alright. Next question. LAND DRAINAGE MASTERPLAN – BUILDING AND LAND USE PERMITS – APPLICATION PROCESSING TIME