the Managing Committee of the Association Mauricienne de Badminton, he will, for the benefit of the House, o…
(No. B/106) Mr F. Quirin (Third Member for Beau Bassin & Petite Rivière) asked the Minister of Youth and Sports whether, in regard to the Managing Committee of the Association Mauricienne de Badminton, he will, for the benefit of the House, obtain information as to why his Ministry dissolved same on 10 March 2026.
Madam Speaker, being given that this question requires a long answer, I am tabling, with your permission, the chronology of events that have led to the decision to dissolve the managing committee of the Mauritius Badminton Association (MBA) on 10 March 2026. It was the culmination of a prolonged period of instability in governance, failures, and repeated complaints from athletes, parents and former members of the MBA. The decision taken by my Ministry – it has acted in the broader public interests and in line with its responsibility to ensure that the National Sports Federation operates in accordance with the principles of good governance, transparency, accountability and the proper protection of athletes. In accordance with Section 9(9)(c)(ii) of the Sports Act 2016, my Ministry has initiated consultations with the Mauritius Olympic Committee with a view to appointing a temporary committee. My Ministry considered this intervention to be essential in order to protect the integrity of the sport and safeguard the interests of all affiliated clubs, athletes and stakeholders within the badminton community. Madam Speaker, I wish to inform the House that I had a meeting with the president of the MOC on Wednesday 18 March 2026. In a correspondence dated 18 March 2026, he has informed my Ministry that he had and urgent executive committee meeting to discuss the matter. We were further informed that the MOC had referred the matter to the legal department of the International Olympic Committee for advice. Madam Speaker, I wish also to inform the House that communication has also been established with the Badminton World Federation, governing body for the sports of badminton through its legal and governance department. The MBA is a member of the Badminton World Federation. The latter has requested the Ministry to share with them the detailed ground for the dissolution of the Managing Committee. The BWF informed that in principle its constitution protects member association against government interference, that it does understand that such intervention is sometimes necessary to put the association back on the right track. Madam Speaker, my Ministry remains committed to working with all relevant parties to ensure a smooth transition and to restore stability, transparency and good governance within the sport of badminton in Mauritius.
Yes.
Merci, Madame la présidente. Je dois faire ressortir que le badminton est une discipline qui régulièrement fait honneur au pays et cela ne date pas d’aujourd’hui. Donc, l’honorable ministre peut-il confirmer si son ministère a eu des consultations préalables avec l’Association mauricienne de badminton, pas le Comité olympique mauricien, avant la dissolution de son comité directeur et, si tel est le cas, de bien vouloir nous donner les dates ?
No, I had no such meeting with the Federation of Badminton but the charges I have stated in my reply are enough to take the necessary actions. So, there was no meeting.
It is not the federation, it is association.
C’est une fédération.
C’est une fédération.
On n’appelle pas cela fédération, d’accord !
Madame la présidente, je peux bien comprendre la réponse de l’honorable ministre mais je crois que la moindre des choses avant d’appliquer la sanction suprême, parce que comme il l’a dit dans sa réponse à ma question précédente, la section 9(9)(c), on l’applique en dernier recours, effectivement. Et là, ma question est pourquoi n’y a-t-il pas, je ne suis pas en train de défendre la fédération, je ne suis pas en train de remettre en question les…
Question ! Ne vous expliquez pas, posez-lui la question !
… les reproches qui sont adressés à cette fédération, je demande simplement pourquoi l’honorable ministre et son ministère n’ont pas jugé bon de rencontrer, de les mettre devant les faits, par rapport à tout ce qui est reproché, il a fait sortir un communiqué récemment, il l’a dit. Pourquoi, quand il parle d’autonomie, pourquoi n’a-t-il pas jugé bon de rencontrer ces personnes ?
Short and sweet. Très simple.
I have already replied to that question, Madam Speaker.
Il ne va pas répondre plus que cela. Oui, vous ne pouvez pas l’obliger.
Je ne l’oblige pas mais on prend connaissance de ce qu’il dit. Merci.
On note. Okay! Next question. We have finished with badminton. Now, hon. First Member for Port Louis North & Montagne Longue! YOUTHS – CYBER INCIDENTS – NEW LEGISLATION