An award ceremony to reward best athletes and best region for the first edition of the Jeux Des Jeunes Elites, was held on Friday 04 May 2018 at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, in Port Louis. The Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr Stephan Toussaint, representatives of Local Authorities and other personalities were present on the occasion.
In his address, Minister Toussaint highlighted that the aim of these games is to promote sporting values among the youth and encourage them in the practice of sports. The games, he underlined, provided a platform for young Elite athletes to develop their interests and practical skills in interested sporting disciplines as well as help them to set themselves challenges.
Sacrifices and concerted efforts, he underlined, are the key driving forces to succeed in any interested field. On this score, he encouraged the youth to continuously show their spirited dedication to sports while adding that the participation in such games will enable them stay physically fit and build friendship ties with other young people.
Minister Toussaint further pointed out that the first edition of the games required athletes to compete for their respective regions under their respective local authorities. The second edition, he underpinned, will be organised in terms of residential venture whereby youngsters will live together in a group, thus encouraging their personal discovery and growth, self-reliance, perseverance, and responsibility towards themselves.
First Edition of Jeux Des Jeunes Elites
The games were open to two categories of age groups, 14-15 and 16-17 years. It comprised eleven competitive sports disciplines: Athletics, Badminton, Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Football, Handball, Judo, Swimming, Table Tennis and Volleyball. The finals were heldon 4, 5 and 6 April 2018.
Preliminary entries were some 6291 youngsters out which 4644 athletes participated in the finals.
Athletes competed for their respective regions; 12 regions of Mauritius under the local authorities and 1 region from Rodrigues and outer Islands.
Beau Bassin/Rose Hill won the best athletes award and Rodrigues was awarded the best region prize.
Source: Government of Mauritius