Reply: Rodrigues holds a special place in our hearts and is recognised for its reservoir of sporting talent. For this reason, whenever a national selection is made, regardless of the sports discipline, talent identification exercises are systematically conducted in Rodrigues, as was the case for the Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Ocean Indien Games. I am informed by the Mauritius Football Association that two coaches were dispatched to Rodrigues on 12 and 13 April 2025 to scout promising young players with the potential to be included in the national squad. I wish to inform the House that Section 6 (1) (h) of the Sports Act 2016 provides that it is the responsibility of a National Sports Federation to select the most deserving athletes to represent Mauritius in international competitions on the recommendations of its National Technical Director, National Coach or selection committee, as the case may be. I am informed that players from Rodrigues who are selected to join national squads benefit from support and facilities, including – a. return airfares; b. full-board hotel accommodation in Mauritius, where applicable; c. provision of training and match equipment; d. light meals provided during training sessions in Mauritius, and e. local transportation for training sessions and airport transfer. These measures aim at ensuring that athletes from Rodrigues are given equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to the performance of the national squad.

160 NLTA – HEAD OFFICE – PROPOSED RELOCATION – UPDATE