This is an opening that speaks volumes about the ambitions displayed for Mauritian swimming on the continent. While visiting Mauritius as part of the African Open Water Championships and Zone 4 events, the president of Africa Aquatics, Mohamed Diop, talked about the possibility of seeing Mauritius one day hosting a World Cup stage.
Minister of Youth and Sports Deven Nagalingum received on Friday morning Mohamed Diop and Jace Naidoo, Secretary General of Africa Aquatics, currently in Mauritius for the competitions scheduled for this weekend in Mont Choisy. The delegation also included Doreen Tiborcz, member of World Aquatics, and Cédric Bathfield, president of the federation Mauritian Swimming.
Mohamed Diop hailed Mauritius' performances at the last African Championships in Oran, where Mauritian swimmers won seven medals (six silver and one bronze), highlighting the country's steady progress on the continental stage.
The exchanges later led to the development of open water swimming in Africa. Mohamed Diop pleaded for a multiplication of continental competitions.
"It would be nice to have at least one continental competition each year. And why not see Mauritius one day host a stage of the World Cup? ", he launched.
Minister Nagalingum reaffirmed the authorities’ commitment to promoting mass swimming and strengthening the skills of Mauritian athletes, including through the revival of swimming schools.
Cédric Bathfield finally highlighted the growing frenzy for discipline and actions taken on the beaches to democratize the practice to the general public.
Reproduced from Le Defi Sport
Image credit: Le Defi Sport
