Rs238 M Investment: Mauritius Launches 4-Year Plan to Save Football from Crisis

Mauritian football is set for a radical transformation following the announcement of a massive four-year revitalisation and professionalisation plan. The project, unveiled by Sports Minister Deven Nagalingum and developed in collaboration with the Mauritius Football Association (MFA), carries an estimated annual price tag of nearly Rs 238 million.

Revival Amidst Crisis

The ambitious package, the most newsworthy element of the plan, includes dedicated funding for the emerging disciplines of beach soccer and futsal, alongside crucial sport-science programmes aimed at enhancing physical and medical performance for athletes.

The announcement comes as the national team, currently ranked a lowly 177th in the latest men’s FIFA rankings, has struggled for years to establish a competitive identity.

Unflinching Assessment of Decadence

In presenting the plan, Minister Nagalingum gave an uncompromising assessment of the sport’s current plight.

He lamented the loss of an era when “King Football” united the entire country, transcended social divides, and filled stadiums with immense crowds, inspiring generations of young people.

The Minister acknowledged that upon his arrival at the Ministry, the sport was in a “profound crisis” characterised by:

• Empty stadiums.
• Waning interest from young people.
• A drop in the level of competition.
• Loss of appeal to sponsors.
• The national team’s stagnation in the global rankings.

Mr Nagalingum laid the blame for this “decadence” squarely on a “lack of political vision” over the last decade, citing the neglect of youth development, the absence of solid structures and adequate training, poor career pathways for talented players, and the deterioration of sporting infrastructure.

He stated that this failure was not only sporting but represented a political laissez-faire that deprived the nation of a key element of social cohesion.

A Roadmap to Professionalisation

Despite the damning diagnosis, the Minister asserted that the country retains the potential to once again become a regional football power.

He pointed to a “palpable change” already underway, including increased stadium attendance, a resurgence of dynamism in villages, and more encouraging national team performances—all attributed to a planned strategy executed alongside the MFA.

The four-year recovery plan focuses on two main pillars:

• Governance Reform: A complete overhaul to restore transparency, credibility, and accountability in the sport’s administration.
• Strengthening Domestic Game: Measures to boost local competitions to attract back the public, sponsors, and media.

The plan also heavily emphasises youth development, calling for a complete restructuring of football schools and youth programmes to identify and train talent nationwide.

Key Investment Areas

The project commits to the progressive professionalisation of Mauritian football, setting clear standards for clubs, improving player working conditions, and supporting coaches with advanced training.

Crucially, significant investment is earmarked for women’s football, giving it a strategic role in the sport’s development. This includes:

• Modernising overall infrastructure.
• Developing mini-pitches.
• Rehabilitating training centres.
• Creating environments specifically adapted for female players.

Technical and operational standards will also be raised through intensified training for coaches, referees, and technical staff.

The MFA will contribute financially via international schemes such as FIFA Forward and CAF subsidies.

Further support is expected from FIFA, including the funding of ten synthetic pitches for primary schools and the delivery of a thousand balls for the ‘Football for Schools’ programme.

Minister Nagalingum concluded that the plan signifies a crucial break from past practices, demonstrating a firm political will to restore Mauritian football to its former status as the nation’s unifying, flagship sport.

Source: l’Express