Madam Speaker, I am informed that the Confederation Africaine de Volleyball Zone 7 entrusted the Mauritius Volleyball Federation with the responsibility to host the 29th edition of the Volleyball Clubs Championship for the Zone 7 region which was held from 01 to 08 March 2025. The competition sites were –

38 1. Pandit Sahadeo Gymnasium, Vacoas; 2. Le Quorum Gymnasium, Plaisance Rose-Hill, and 3. The University of Mauritius Gymnasium. It is a yearly regional competition of teams from the Zone 7 region. The members of Zone 7 are Reunion, Madagascar, Seychelles, Mayotte, Comoros and Mauritius. Regarding part (a) of the question, I wish to inform the House that 29 Teams, that is, 14 Men’s teams and 15 Women’s teams, participated in the competition. The breakdown of participation by country is as follows – 1. Reunion: 4 Men’s Teams 4 Women’s Teams 2. Madagascar: 1 Men’s Teams 2 Women’s Teams 3. Seychelles: 1 Men’s Teams 2 Women’s Teams 4. Mayotte: 3 Men’s Teams 1 Women’s Teams 5. Mauritius (incl. Rodrigues) 5 Men’s Teams 6 Women’s Teams The Championship is a Pool cum League tournament where the 2 best teams of each group go to Quarter Finals, Semi Finals and Finals. Country members may send 2 to 4 teams and club champions of respective countries to participate in the competition. Reunion won the tournament and it is an honour for a team from Rodrigues to have reached the semi-finals. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (b) of the question, the competition has been beneficial to all participating teams as it has largely contributed to sportsmen to have access to international exposure. Furthermore, the influx of foreigners has enabled to showcase Mauritius as a sporting destination. In addition, the competition attracted large number of spectators in our gymnasiums. The event also created a keen interest in the public as witnessed by the enthusiasm shown by youth and trainees from local volleyball academies who were given the opportunity to serve as volunteers during the competition.

Yes!

I have one supplementary question. I thank the hon. Minister for his answers. Madam Speaker, will the hon. Minister indicate whether his Ministry would be willing to consider Rodrigues as participant in the African Volleyball Clubs Championship?

Madam Speaker, the 2025 African Men's Volleyball Championship will take place in Libya from 17 to 30 April 2025, while that of women, will take place in

39 Nigeria. Any request for financial assistance from the Rodrigues Oranges Club Sportif d’Amitié will have to be examined by the Ministry. Besides, funds are provided by the Central Government to the Rodrigues Regional Assembly for various sectors as listed in the Fourth Schedule of the Rodrigues Regional Assembly Act. The Fourth Schedule lists youth and sports as one of their areas of responsibility to be exercised by the Rodrigues Regional Assembly.

Yes, Mr Quirin!

Merci, Madame la présidente. L’honorable ministre, peut-il dire à la Chambre quelle a été la contribution de son ministère en ce qui concerne l’organisation de cette compétition ?

Hon. Minister!

My Ministry has provided different facilities as regard to transport and other area of facilities as to what the Federation has asked. The Ministry has provided the facilities.

Thank you. Yes! Hon. Second Member for Belle Rose and Quatre Bornes! LA SOURCE FOOTBALL PLAYGROUND – OPERATIONALITY & SAFETY