Mauritius Sports Council

Vision

To be the leading partner of all Sports Bodies.

Mission

We support the Ministry of Youth & Sports in planning, coordinating and promoting recreational sports through financial, administrative and services assistance to Sports Federations and other related Sports Bodies; thereby creating and maintaining a high sense of professionalism in sports management and practices.

History

MAURITIUS SPORTS COUNCIL
1986-2006

Following the promulgation of the Physical Education and Sports Act in 1984, the MSC was set up in March 1986.

The main objective of the Mauritius Sports Council is “Quality and Quantity” (Through elitism, let us find the mass).

Roles

• Promote and improve the practice of sports among the public at large in collaboration with sports governing bodies.
• Manage state owned sports infrastructure.
• Provide financial assistance to National Sports Federations recognised by the Ministry of Youth and Sports.
• Encourage and support other persons or bodies in carrying out research and studies into matters concerning any sports and physical activities and dissemination of knowledge and advice on these matters.
• Advise and co-operate with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and other bodies dealing with sports and physical activities in Mauritius.

SERVICES

• Assistance to National Sports Governing Bodies in running their Secretariat.
• Computer and photocopy facilities to all registered sports federations.
• Facilities to sports bodies for training purposes and competitions.
• Assistance in connection with renovation and maintenance of sports Infrastructure.

SOURCE OF REVENUE
The council revenue comes mostly from the Ministry of Youth and Sports, from sponsors and from the renting of sports infrastructures among others.

MSC BOARD

In March 1986, the first board consisting of twelve members nominated by the Ministry of Youth and Sports was set up under the chairmanship of Mr. Pierre Philogene who officially inaugurated the MSC Headquarters on 5 March. The Board members were aware that they were the pioneers who would bring major changes in the structure of sports in Mauritius. The committee met once every two months for two hours of work and a press release was held at the end of each meeting. They introduced the Sports Award Gala Night in December 1986 to reward the sportsmen and sportswomen who have achieved outstanding performances during the year. During the first semester of 1987, a campaign was launched on Sports and Education. In 1992, the first Sports Directory – a calendar of major sporting events was published. The “Salon du Sport” was organised from the 9th to 16th October 1992 at the Forum, Curepipe, where 115 to 120 stands were put at the disposal of the Sports Federations.

In March 1996, a new board was set up under the chairmanship of Mr. Roger Lamusse. He wanted to create a fund for needy athletes, to provide a risk assurance for the most talented one, and to look for a site to house some sports federations and a sports library.

In January 1998, a new board was set up under the chairmanship of Mr. Michel Kwon. He introduced the MSC athlete Award of the Month, the Sports Journalist Award, and suggested the construction of a new building to house the Headquarters of the Mauritius Sports Council.

In January 1999, a new board was set up under the chairmanship of Mr. Giandev Moteea. His first initiative was to renovate and embellish the existing sports infrastructure falling under the responsibility of the MSC. His main goal was that the MAURITIUS SPORTS COUNCIL should be perceived as an organism that should aim at serving all and being innovative. It should be able to control the expenses and manage the existing facilities with professionalism. The MAURITIUS SPORTS COUNCIL should be able to inspire trust and promote at the same time, the idea of fair play. He initiated the project concerning the setting of the Sports Documentation Centre as he firmly believed in Research and wanted the Centre to be an extension of the services provided by the University of Mauritius.

In November 2000, a new board was set up under the chairmanship of Mr. Raj Gaya. The priority of Mr. Gaya was to professionalise the day-to-day running of the Sports Federations. He set up an award for the Youth below the age of 15. This award ceremony was named the” Milo Young Athlete Award”. In 2001 the “Fêtes des Sports” was organised in four regions of the country. The aim of the activity was to offer opportunities to students and athletes and help them discover sports that they never had the chance to practice for various reasons. At the same time, it was an opportunity for professionals and amateurs to interact. He completed the Sports Documentation Centre project initiated by his predecessor, and inaugurated it on 17 July 2001. He also introduced the “Junior Sportsman Award” and “Junior Sportswoman Award”. In 2003, the Sports Exhibition was held in all Municipalities and District Councils and the aim was to show the achievements to the public through pictures, medals, cups, trophies, magazines, memorabilia and any document pertaining to the history of sports in Mauritius.

In December 2005, a new board was set up under the chairmanship of Mr. Dhiraj Singh Khamajeet . By that time, both the MAURITIUS SPORTS COUNCIL budget has increased as well as its responsibilities too.

Logos

The first logo of the Mauritius Sports Council was the art work of Mr. Jean Pierre De Sornay.  It was officially presented on the inauguration of the Mauritius Sports Council on Thursday 5th March 1986.

In 1999, the Board of the MSC, under the Chairmanship of Mr. Giandev Moteea willing to give a new image to the Council, decided to change the logo which dated 14 years.  On Friday 10th December 1999 for the Millenium Gala night held at the Sugar Beach Hotel, the new logo was unveiled.  The "S" of the MSC displays a Sportsman in full sporting action to match the vision adopted by the MSC Board.  The logo was designed by Mr. Reshad Eyasim.