Madam Speaker, the electoral manifesto de L’Alliance du Changement of 2024, indeed contains a proposition to set up a free insurance package, including a medical insurance cover for national athletes. And even today, I can state, in the strongest possible terms, that the safety of our athletes remains one of our priorities. Thus, any scheme, project or programme that can benefit our national athletes, including a medical insurance cover, has our consideration. I would like to inform the House that this matter has already been discussed, and the High-Level Sports Unit of my Ministry has been tasked with the responsibility of looking into the setting up of a Medical Scheme for National Athletes, the improvement of the existing Athletes Welfare Scheme and other innovative measures that can improve the protection of the sporting community. The House may wish to be informed that, in parallel, section 6 (1) (d) of the Sports Act 2016 requires National Sports Federations to make appropriate arrangement for accident insurance cover for their licensees and officials during competitions, as well as for athletes undergoing training with their national squad. Madam Speaker, with a view to supporting National Sports Federations and sports organisations in fulfilling this important obligation, my Ministry provides financial assistance to them to meet the cost of insurance coverage. The responsibility is on the Federations regarding the quantum for the group personal accident insurance cover. In addition, my Ministry has put in place a group personal accident insurance policy for participants in sporting events, organised under its aegis for the period 01 January 2026 to 31 December 2026. Provision has been made by my Ministry to provide accident insurance coverage to up to 2000 participants in the event of accident injury or death arising from activities, again, by my Ministry. Madam Speaker, my Ministry will continue to work closely with National Sports Federations and other stakeholders to ensure that the existing support mechanism are effectively implemented for the benefit of our athletes.

Yes!

Merci, Madame la présidente. Vu que là, nous parlons aussi de l'assurance médicale, et vu que le ministère a confié cette tâche au Trust Fund for Excellence in Sports, ce n'est que récemment, si je comprends bien la réponse du ministre, que son ministère a commencé à travailler sur ce projet. L’honorable ministre ne considère-t-il pas que ce retard – bientôt deux années que l'Alliance du Changement est au pouvoir – est préoccupant et qu'il est désormais impératif de demander au Trust Fund for Excellence in Sports de mettre les bouchées doubles afin de respecter un engagement pris envers les sportifs mauriciens en 2024 ?

We are not talking about the Excellence in Sports. This is a different thing altogether. We are talking about the national athletes’ medical scheme, the Athletes Welfare Scheme that already exists. So, what you are asking…

…confié à qui ?

Do not discuss with the Minister!

…is different from what the Ministry is doing. At the level of Côte d’Or, it is a different thing. The Trust Fund is a different thing. This one is different from the Ministry.

Je crois, Madame la présidente, que l'honorable ministre n'a peut-être pas bien saisi ce que je viens de dire. Si j'ai bien compris sa réponse, je lui repose la question : À qui la tâche a été confiée ? Il a dit lui-même que cette tâche de…

Aux fédérations, si j'ai bien compris. Moi, j'ai compris fédérations.

Si c'est son ministère en particulier ou bien un organisme tombant sous son ministère, qui a eu la tâche d'aller de l'avant et de faire aboutir ce projet. Est-ce qu'il peut confirmer ?

I, rightly, pointed out, Madam Speaker, that the Ministry is undertaking the responsibility to look into the scheme. We have a scheme that is being updated. Now, at the level of our Ministry, we are working on it.

Ok!

Une dernière question, Madame la présidente, avec votre permission.

J'ai beaucoup de questions, malheureusement, là-dessus.

Peut-on savoir si le ministère a consulté les différentes fédérations sportives sur les critères d'éligibilité et la nature des prestations offertes ?

Consultations.

We have looked into the matter.

Okay. Dr. Aumeer and then, Mr Apollon.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. May I ask the hon. Minister, in the light of the recent World Cup, where there have been senior athletes who have had sudden death immediately after their participation in the World Cup, will he not consider to have thorough cardiac assessments for our high-level athletes, at regular intervals, before embarking on such high-level competition?

Okay. Minister, a simple question.

This is a very good question. I am going to take this into consideration.

Okay, Mr Apollon!

Thank you, Madam Speaker. In this context, can the hon. Minister inform us as to whether Mr L., injured cyclist, has benefited from the financial assistance under the Athletes Welfare Scheme?

Mr L.

Mr L, the injured cyclist.

Cycliste.

M. L.

Cycliste, M. L.

Madam Speaker, in my reply to Parliament Questions B/978 and B/980, last week, I informed that the case of Mr L. was being considered for any assistance deemed appropriate under the Athletes Welfare Scheme. I am pleased to inform the House that the High-Level Sports Unit which manages this scheme, with the approval of Cabinet, has approved, last week itself, the payment of Rs250,000 in favour of Mr L.

Yes, Ms Collet! That will be the last supplementary.

Thank you, Madam Speaker. Can the hon. Minister inform the House how many athletes have benefited from this scheme for the Financial Year 2025-2026?

Do you have these figures?

I would be pleased to answer, but it is a long list. I can table it.

Yes, please, table it. Next question, Ms Savabaddy! NATIONAL HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CO. LTD. – SYNDICS APPOINTMENT & OPERATION – NEW METHODOLOGY