Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I stated during my intervention on the Government Programme on 28 February 2025, the inter-college sports competition, more commonly known as Jeux Inter Collèges, were more than just a sport competition. They served as platform for discovering young talents, fostering camaraderie and instilling a deep sense of pride and belonging among our youth. Therefore, the revival of the inter-college sports competition is high on the agenda of my ministry. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (a) of the question, I wish to inform the House that the preliminary of the Jeux Inter Collèges for the following regions, namely –

60 (i) Port Louis; (ii) Beau Bassin/Rose Hill; (iii) Belle Rose/Quatre Bornes; (iv) Vacoas/Phoenix; (v) Black River; (vi) Curepipe; (vii) Grand Port/Savanne; (viii) Moka/Flacq, and (ix) Pamplemousses/ Rivière du Rempart have successfully started on 06 May 2025 and will run until 17 June 2025. The finals are scheduled from 14 to 18 July 2025. I am informed that some 160 secondary schools, including states, private and feepaying schools have registered for the Jeux Inter Collèges. Some 8,500 students are involved in both individual and team competition. Officials of National Sport Federation and coaches of my ministry are providing technical assistance for the smooth running of the Jeux Inter Collèges. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, with regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed that the 2025 Edition of the Jeux Inter Collèges will include the following sport disciplines – (i) Football; (ii) Volleyball; (iii) Badminton (iv) Table Tennis, and (v) Athletics. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the preliminaries are being held at various venues, including stadiums, sport complexes and secondary schools. Subsequently, the final for the football and athletics will be held at the Cote d'Or National Sports Complex. While the finals for badminton, table tennis and volleyball will be held at the National Badminton Centre, the National Table Tennis Centre and the Pandit Sahadeo Gymnasium, respectively. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as regards part (c) of the question, for this year edition, participation is open to both boys and girls in different age groups ranging from 14 to 20

61 years old and this age group will be reviewed to include, if needed, younger categories in more sports discipline as from next year. Each participant is allowed to participate in two sports disciplines of the competition, including one individual and one team in order to encourage more students to participate. For athletics, the first three athletes per event, per category and per region will qualify for the finals as opposed to only two in the previous edition, thereby increasing opportunities for more students to represent their college in the final. Athletes from Rodrigues will also be invited to participate in the athletic final following their own preliminaries. For badminton and table tennis, the first two participants per category, per region are qualified for the finals. For football and volleyball, the winning team per category, per region is qualified for the final. An overall champion of Jeux Inter Collèges will be declared based on the cumulative points obtained by each college in the five sports discipline during the finals. I wish to highlight that this formula has been introduced after consultation with all stakeholders.

M. le président, l’honorable ministre peut-il expliquer à la Chambre et je me base sur une lettre qui a été adressé par le président de la MSSSA au Premier ministre lui- même, pourquoi, en effet, la MSSSA, comme le certifie la lettre, n’a pas été impliqué comme il se doit dans l’organisation de ces compétitions se voyant même, comme je viens de le dire, obligé d’envoyer une lettre au Premier ministre exprimant leur mécontentement pour dénoncer la façon d’agir du ministère des Sports. C’est la lettre qui le dit. Je n’invente rien ! Et celui de l’Éducation. Peut-on savoir pourquoi ?

Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as I stated in my reply, given that the Board of the National Council for Sports in schools and universities was not yet constituted, my ministry provided technical support towards the organisation of the competition. I had a press conference on 08 January 2025 whereat the Mauritius Secondary Schools Sports Association was present. Furthermore, I am informed that representatives of the Mauritius Secondary Schools Sports Association were present during meeting held on 15 January and 27 January 2025 at the seat of my ministry. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, at the request of the Mauritius Secondary Schools Sports Association, I have met with the representatives, including the President, on 05 May 2025. We have agreed that the Mauritius Secondary Schools Sports Association will collaborate with the National Council for Sports in schools and universities.

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M. le président, une dernière question. Je vais, quand même, pour les besoins de la question, déposer…

No! This letter was addressed to the hon. Prime Minister. I cannot see how you received a copy of it and how…

Oh, Mr Vice-President, please!

It is a letter between the MSSSA and the hon. Prime Minister. It is probably between these two parties!

You are yourself a politician!

Yes! This is why I am saying this. Because I am a lawyer!

You know well!

This letter is addressed personally to the hon. Prime Minister.

I find this very improper!

It is a personal letter to the hon. Prime Minister!

Anyway ! L’autre question que…

Do you have another question?

Voilà ! Donc, j’ai compris la réponse de l’honorable ministre. Il a parlé de certaines catégories, mais il y a une catégorie que les PE Teachers considèrent qui aurait dû aussi faire partie de ces jeux, c’est la catégorie U14, c’est-à-dire, les enfants, les jeunes de 12 et 13 ans. Et, peut-on savoir pourquoi cette catégorie n’a pas été inclue dans ces jeux ?

I mentioned in my reply, Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, that next year, we are going to see how we are going to include those which are not included now. We have all consulted with the stakeholders and the answer is very clear!

Okay, the next question. The hon. Third Member for Rivière des Anguilles and Souillac! ⁠CHILDREN – ONLINE EXPLOITATION, HARM & ABUSE – MEASURES