10th Indian Ocean Islands Games (IOIG), Mauritius July 19-28 |29 July 2019
Maldives gives rendez-vous as curtains go down on 10th Games
The 11th Indian Ocean Islands Games will take place in the Maldives in 2023, the Conseil International des Jeux decided on Saturday during the council meeting held at the Inter Continental Mauritius Resort, in Balaclava Fort.
In addition to Maldives, Madagascar and Comoros were also seeking to host the 2023 Games.
Maldives received four votes while the Comoros and Madagascar received one vote each.
This is the first time Maldives has been awarded the opportunity to host an international multi-sports event.
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said the preparations for the event will be completed through development projects already pledged by the government.
"A huge budget would not be allotted specifically for the event and we intend to provide resources through the country's development projects," said President Solih.
“Although a lavish budget would not be allocated for the event, the athletes taking part in the event will receive full support and aid from the state for their training and preparations,” the Maldivian president added.
The closing ceremony of the 10th Games took place late yesterday afternoon at the Anjalay Stadium in Belle-Vue, after nine days of competition.
It was Seychellois Antonio Gopal, the president of Cij who officially closed the 10th IOIG, after the traditional flag hand-over ceremony took place.
Mauritian Minister for Youth and Sports Stephan Toussaint handed over the Games’ flag to the president of the Mauritian Olympic Committee Philippe Hao Thyn Voon, who then handed it over to Mr Gopal.
The latter handed it over to the secretary general of the Maldives Olympic Committee Ahmed Marzooq who handed the flag to the Maldivian Minister for Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof.
The formal ceremony was followed by a trans-generational show gathering old and young artists telling the story of the Indian Ocean.
Artists like Blakkayo, Les Inkonus, Jason Heerah, Clarel Armel and Eric Titon interpreted songs of Mauritian music legends such as Kaya, Ras Natty Baby, Ti Frer, Michel Legris among others.
The event was put together by Emilien Jubeau and produced by Impact Production ceremony.
We bring you some of the photos of the closing ceremony taken by Patrick Joubert.
Roland Duval in Mauritius
