In my heart and in my mind the Indian Ocean Island Games will always be associated to the image of my cousin Sheila winning the gold medal of the 800 metres in athletics. That was in 1985 and I was a preteen. The tremendous excitement that rocked the whole island during those games is yet unmatched and the icing on the cake came with our national football team winning the final against La Reunion in the most epic match ever. I even recall crying that afternoon, feeling an indescribable pride being Mauritian, being an islander, being the witness of that iconic moment in the history of our country.
18 years later, the 2003 games did fill us with great joy once more when, again, we bonded as a nation with the atmosphere in the various sports complexes around the island reaching astonishing feverish peaks. As close as it came though, it was not a remake of 1985. Yes, we won more medals, performances were enhanced, the technology had evolved, our football crew shone again and we, Mauritians, were more well-off than in the mid-eighties and had easier financial means to celebrate and rejoice. Still, the magic spirit of 1985 was lacking, you know...
les cinq sous qui manquent pour faire la roupie.
2019 and the games are now back to Mauritius. How will our athletes fare this time? This is an open question. A friend of mine told me that he considered these games to be a total wastage of money. I respect his point of view and consider that the affairs of corruption attached to the organisation has marred our opinion yet again about our politicians and
'leaders'. That said, should our athletes be the ones to pay the price of their felonies? Shouldn't we, on the contrary, be in the stadiums and gymnasiums to encourage them? I am an ardent supporter of Club M and this time I am bringing Antish with me for the experience of a lifetime filled with hope that I will be able to ignite in him the same passion that burns inside of me when it comes to pushing our athletes to go beyond their limits. It is such a big thrill to see them perform and giving it all for their country. After all, a successful team beats with one heart, don't you think so?
 |
| Sheila and Mamou Dan 1985 |
 |
4x400 mts team 1985
Football Final 2003 - Ene sel lepep, ene sel nation |
 |
Opening Ceremony 2019
|
No comments:
Post a Comment