Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I wish to inform the House that on 24 April 2025, the Mauritius Olympic Committee has forwarded to me a copy of a letter dated 16 April 2025 from the International Olympic Committee that was addressed to the President and Members of the Executive Committee of the Mauritius Olympic Committee. In the said letter, the International Olympic Committee, inter alia, raised concerns about the situation prevailing at the Mauritius Olympic Committee and pressed upon the latter to take all necessary measures to ensure the holding of the elective general assembly at the earliest opportunity. Failing which, the International Olympic Committee may take protective measures in line with rule 27 (9) of the Olympic Charter which includes suspension of or withdrawal of recognition from a National Olympic Committee. In this case, the Mauritius Olympic Committee. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am informed that the elective general assembly of the Mauritius Olympic Committee was scheduled on 25 January 2025. However, on 23 January 2025, upon an application by the Mauritius Tennis Federation, the Sport Arbitration Tribunal ordered that an interim order in the nature of an injunction be issued, restraining and prohibiting the Mauritius Olympic Committee from holding or proceeding with its forthcoming elective general assembly, pending the hearing and determination of the present matter. While the case was still ongoing before the Sport Arbitration Tribunal, the Mauritius Olympic Committee scheduled another elective general assembly for 29 March 2025. On 20 March 2025, following application by the Mauritius Tennis Federation for an ex parte interim order, the Sport Arbitration Tribunal declined to issue the order as the latter understood and recognised that parities are to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the main case. Thus, the application was set aside. I am informed that in face of this new development, the Mauritius Tennis Federation applied for an injunction before the Supreme Court and that same was granted. An application by the Mauritius Olympic Committee to discharge the injunction was set aside. I am further informed that the Mauritius Olympic Committee has appealed against this decision and the case is ongoing before the Supreme Court.

84 Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, notwithstanding the aforesaid mentioned, I had already written to the International Olympic Committee as far back as 21 March 2025 to draw their attention to governance issues that were prevailing at the Olympic Committee. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, further to the International Olympic Committee’s letter dated 16 April 2025, I have addressed another letter to the said committee informing them that the present situation is due to internal conflicts among the members of the Mauritius Olympic Committee, and not due to some form of Government interference. I expressly made reference to the fact that under our legislation, National Sports Federations are autonomous bodies that are free to operate within our Republic so long as they have a legal status and comply with the Olympic Charter. I also stated this Government’s firm commitment to collaborate with the International Olympic Committee to ensure free and fair elections at the level of the Mauritius Olympic Committee.

Yes, hon. Member!

M. le président, avec votre permission, par rapport au contexte actuel, le ministre peut-il nous dire comment il compte éviter au pays suspension alors que le CIO dans le passé n’a pas hésité à suspendre de grandes nations comme l’Inde et la Russie ? Ça, c’est ma première question, M. le président.

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this is a speculative question. We shall cross that bridge when we come to it. As far as we are concerned, we are proceeding according to our legal framework. As I have stated in my reply, the matter is sub judice and we have to respect our court of law.

M. le président, l’honorable ministre ne pense-t-il pas que c’est de son devoir de réunir le COM, la Fédération mauricienne de tennis, le représentant du Comité olympique international, s’asseoir avec l’honorable ministre lui-même et ces officiers, pour trouver une solution à ce problème ? Parce que ce que nous risquons, M. le président, de voir nos athlètes être pénalisés. C’est cela mon souci. Je connais très bien comment ça se passe, je ne suis pas là pour dire qui a raison, qui a tort.

Put your question, hon. Member!

Ma question est justement de demander au ministre, de réunir tout ce beau monde, de s’asseoir et faire de son mieux pour qu’on puisse arriver à une solution évitant ainsi que le pays, c’est le pays sera suspendu et les athlètes mauriciens avec.

85 An hon. Member : À cause de qui ?

(Interruptions)

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am really surprised because at this stage, like I mentioned, it is not appropriate at all to meet with parties as there is an ongoing court case, so how can we meet with these people.

(Interruptions)

You, yourself in the past, you mentioned that…

Address the Chair!

You mentioned that, you criticised that!

Address the Chair!

And today you are telling me to meet with people who are using dirty money. Up to you but not me!

Next question? You will go to your next question?

Une dernière question ! Sorry?

Next question B/437. We are going to your next question.

No, I have one last question for…

Okay, I allow you a last one.

M. le président, je connais très bien la situation et je sais très bien comment cela se passe, je ne suis pas en train de défendre ceux qui sont en train de finir le sport à Maurice au contraire.

Your question, please. Put your question!

Ma question est, si certains n’ont pas compris ma position, et ma position elle n’a jamais changé même quand j’étais dans l’opposition avec mon Parti et aujourd’hui, je suis un indépendant, ma position reste la même.

Your question, please!

Il faut mettre de l’ordre dans le sport, je suis d’accord mais je demande à ce que les athlètes ne soient pas pénalisés, il faut trouver une solution, je ne suis pas là pour dire qui a raison, qui a tort, je laisse le choix à l’honorable ministre…

86

This is your last question.

C’est lui le ministre, c’est à lui de prendre des bonnes décisions, je reconnais mais je me demande…

Do you have a question or you do not have a question?

Ma question est, est-ce que l’île Maurice doit s’attendre à ce que dans les jours à venir, est-ce que le mouvement sportif peut s’attendre dans les jours à venir à ce qu’une solution soit trouvée afin que le sport mauricien ne soit pas pénalisé, suspendu par le CIO ? C’est cela mon souci.

I am going to repeat myself, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the thing is that the situation is before the court of justice. We have to wait, there is nothing more we can do.

You have already answered. Okay! Next question.

If you want to wait, you wait. I am doing my job!

Next question. B/437. Third Member for Beau Bassin and Petite Rivière. SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS – SALE OF GOODS & ARTICLES – REGULATION