COSAFA & Mauritius: Football Partnership Talks with Ministry of Youth & Sports

Susan Destombes, the Executive Director of the Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA), wasted no time in getting down to business following her arrival in Mauritius on Thursday, February 13th.

Within hours of touching down, Ms. Destombes met with key figures from the Mauritian Ministry of Youth and Sports, including Minister Deven Nagalingum and Junior Minister Karen Foo Kune-Bacha.

The meeting sparked promising discussions. Minister Nagalingum listened intently as Ms. Destombes outlined various COSAFA initiatives.

A key focus was the CAF African Schools Football Championship, a new tournament for under-15 teams launched in 2022.

This competition unfolds in three stages: a national tournament for both boys and girls, followed by zonal playoffs, with the winners progressing to a continental final.

“This could be a very interesting program for Mauritius,” Ms. Destombes explained.

“But its success relies on strong cooperation between the government, specifically the Ministries of Sports and Education, and the football authorities.”

Ms. Destombes also highlighted the Region 5 Games, an annual event alternating between under-17 and under-20 age groups.

This year’s games, to be held in Namibia, will feature the under-20 category and encompass at least ten sports, including men’s and women’s football, athletics, basketball, and even e-sports. Mauritius was invited to participate.

Furthermore, Ms. Destombes floated the possibility of Mauritius hosting a future edition of the Region 5 Games, noting the island’s previous experience in staging COSAFA events.

“You have the infrastructure, and we would love to return to your country for a competition,” she said.

The ministers responded positively to Ms. Destombes’ proposals, expressing keen interest in the potential of COSAFA programs to support the development of young athletes in Mauritius.

Source: COSAFA