11th Indian Ocean Islands Games – Madagascar |13 June 2023

Huge uncertainties over competition venues

With barely two months remaining before the 11th Indian Ocean Islands Games scheduled for Madagascar in August, only three out of the 15 designated venues are in an acceptable condition, while the remaining 12 are still in a state of disrepair, according L’Express de Madagascar newspaper.

According to the newspaper in its June 12 edition, since the last visit of the International Games Committee (CIJ) in May, apart from the displays serving as visibility, with some workers present on the visit sites, none of the major works have ever started.

Still according to the newspaper, the country’s council of ministers has taken the decision to grant a subsidy to the Games’ organising committee (Coji), with the allocated sum to cover the expenses relating to the renovation of the infrastructure.

Still regarding infrastructure, seven gymnasiums, namely Ankorondrano, Akamasoa, Mahamasina, Besarety, Vontovorona, Ampefiloha, and Ankatso; three stadiums – Alarobia, Mahamasina and the Vontovorona – , along with the Ampefiloha swimming pool all require works, ranging from small to bigger tasks.

The common point for the gymnasiums, with the exception of the Akamasoa, is that most of the major works relate to the sanitary facilities – showers and toilets –, changing rooms, lighting, as well as the parquet floorings.

At the Alarobia, temple of athletics, complete renovation works are to be carried out in all areas, including the track itself, the throws area, sanitary systems, including showers and toilets, along with the whole lighting system.

Even at the Barea de Mahamasina, impeccable in appearance, major works remain to be done, such as the warm-up ground, and throw area, while the Vontovorona site also requires major work to bring it up to standard.

The different venues and the sports disciplines they will host:

Palais des Sports de Mahamasina – Basketball

Stade Barea de Mahamasina – Football and Athletics + Handisport

Complexe Sportif de Vontovorona – Handball, Football

Gymnase d’Ankatso – Table Tennis, Karate

Gymnase d’ Akamasoa – Volleyball

Gymnase d’Ampefiloha – Badminton and Boxing

Gymnase Besarety – Wrestling

Gymnase d’Ankororondrano – Judo

Piscine d’Ampefiloha – Swimming + Handisport

Acsa d’Ambohidahy – Tennis

Stade Makis d’Andohatapenaka – Rugby

Boulodrome Fitaratra – Petanque

National Road – Cycling

Competitions and dates:

Men’s football – August 24 to September 2

Basketball (5x5) – August 26 to September 2

Basketball (3x3) – August 26 to September 2

Boxing – August 26 to 29

Badminton – August 26 to September 1

Table Tennis – August 26 to September 1

Weightlifting – August 26 to 29

Handball – August 26 to September 2

Karate – August 26 to 29

Petanque – August 26 to September 1

Tennis – August 26 to September 2

Volleyball – August 26 to September 2

Wrestling – August 27 to September 1

Cycling – August 28 to September 1

Athletics + Handisport – August 28 to September 2

Judo – August 29 to September 1

Rugby (seven-a-side) – August 30 to 31

Volet Jeunesse – August 26 to September 2

Compiled by Roland Duval

Photos: L’Express de Madagascar