Madam Speaker, the former Liverpool Football Club International Academy Mauritius commonly referred to as the Liverpool Football Academy was set up in June 2019 and was placed at the Côte d’Or National Sports Complex.

60 I am informed by the Mauritius Multisports Infrastructure Limited that the young footballers who formed part of the former Liverpool Football Academy benefited from a comprehensive support programme across all age groups. This included – free coaching, provision of training kits and transport facilities to attend training sessions three times weekly. Medical and paramedical assistance, including physiotherapy sessions and access to gym facilities. Regular physical fitness assessment and guidance on proper nutrition and diet; the trainees were covered by an insurance scheme, and trainees who required academic assistance were granted financial support by the Trust Fund for excellence in sports. The trainees of Liverpool Football Academy were also offered the opportunity to participate in annual tours. Madam Speaker, with regard to part (a) of the question, I am further informed by the Mauritius Multisports Infrastructure Limited that only four players have progressed to professional football; three in USA and one in France. Six other players had trials in professional clubs in Europe and Réunion Island but unfortunately, they were not successful in securing contracts. With regard to part (b) of the question, I am informed by the Mauritius Multisports Infrastructure Limited that over its six years of operation, players released by the Liverpool Football Academy were used as a feeder system to the National Football League. Those who were unable to secure position in the National Football League, subsequently joined the Centre Technique National François Blaquart which provides a continuation pathway for players aged 18 to 20. Notwithstanding what I have just stated, Madam Speaker, I have to draw the attention of this House to the fact that the operation of the Liverpool Football Academy together with its annual license fee has cost the State more than Rs168 million over its six years of operation, that is, from 2019 to 2025.

61 Madam Speaker, out of 545 players who have been trained under the Liverpool Football Academy only four were able to secure contract with professional football teams. Even more alarming, Madam Speaker, 72 players were dismissed by the Academy for poor performance. A whopping 112 players had quit and 54 had to leave having reached the age limit. Pour un gouvernement responsable, Madame la présidente, poursuivre sur cette voie n’était plus acceptable compte tenu de l’état de profonde précarité dans lequel se trouvait l’économie mauricienne et les résultats non concluants and it is precisely for this reason, Madam Speaker, that this Government, as part of its programme for the revival of football has come up with a new structure in form of a centre national d’excellence de football.

Thank you. Yes!

Merci. Peut-on savoir de l’honorable ministre, avec la fermeture de l’académie de Liverpool, combien de joueurs de l’ancienne académie qui vont intégrer le centre national de formation François Blaquart ? Est-ce que le centre est déjà opérationnel ou bien ce sera le cas dans un proche avenir ? Combien de jeunes footballeurs, toutes catégories confondues, qui étaient au Liverpool Academy, ont intégré ou vont intégrer la nouvelle structure qui sera mise en place ?

Madam Speaker, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to PQ B/999 on la relance du football à Maurice at our Sitting of 11 November 2025. You will have all the answers/replies required.

Madame la présidente, malheureusement je n’ai pas la réponse du ministre sous la main

On va lui faire confiance pour le moment.

Lui faire confiance – on verra bien. Peut-il nous dire, malgré toutes les garanties qu’il nous a données par rapport à la nouvelle structure, il n’est pas sans savoir qu’il y a eu quand même cette période de transition entre la fermeture de l’académie de Liverpool et l’ouverture de la nouvelle structure François Blaquart. Il y a quand même eu plusieurs mois …

Une période grise, on va dire.

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… une période morte pour ces jeunes. Donc, il n’est pas sans savoir que les fléaux sont là et ces jeunes ont été laissés à eux même. Donc, si je comprends bien, l’honorable ministre peut-il nous confirmer effectivement que tous ces jeunes qui étaient à Liverpool Academy – c’est ça ma question, c’est une question simple qu’il peut très bien répondre s’il le veut – combien de ces jeunes vont intégrer la nouvelle structure sans que personne ne soit laissée au bord de la route ?

Maybe you can answer that.

I can answer, Madam Speaker. Already, all the young footballers that were in the Liverpool Football Academy, are now practicing at the Blaquart.

Yes, you will find out in due course. I am coming back to the hon. Third Member for Grand’ Baie and Poudre d’Or. I welcome back our hon. Minister for Housing and Lands. I thought I had lost you. FOND DU SAC – SITE IDENTIFICATION – MARKET FAIR CONSTRUCTION – UPDATE