[SSR Sports Complex: Contract awarded by the PTr in 2014 but rescinded by the MSM] Navin Ramgoolam inaugurates the sports complex 11 years later

Nearly twenty years after its inception, the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Sports Complex in Triolet was officially inaugurated this Saturday. This modern complex, whose construction has recently been completed, represents a significant milestone for the region and the development of sports infrastructure in the country. With its new facilities and state-of-the-art equipment, the opening of this versatile space has been celebrated as a major event by the residents of Triolet and Mauritian athletes.

Prime Minister Navin Ramgoolam expressed his satisfaction during the ceremony: "It is a great pleasure for me to be here today for the inauguration of this sports complex. It was Deven Nagalingum who insisted on naming this complex after SSR, and I thank him. I made a commitment in 2006 to build a sports complex here in Triolet, and I am proud that today, thanks to your vote and decisions, we can finally inaugurate it, 19 years later."

He reflected on the challenges faced before the project's completion: "In 2006, we launched the tenders, which took a long time. In 2014, a contract worth Rs 172 million was awarded to a contractor, but unfortunately, we lost the elections shortly after. The MSM, out of political vengeance, canceled this contract on May 14, 2015. The contractor then sued the government. The Supreme Court ruled in his favor, as there was nothing wrong with the contract. The government had to compensate him with Rs 19 million. Where did that money come from? From Pravind Jugnauth's pockets, from Padayachy's pockets? That amount had to be raised to settle the dispute. By canceling this contract, we lost 11 years. In total, an additional Rs 49 million was wasted."

The head of government also emphasized the importance of sports for health, especially among the youth: "Sports are very important. Today, we know there is a link between heart disease and diabetes. The consequences of diabetes are alarming: 50% of our children are pre-diabetic. […] This shows that there is not enough prevention. Treating diabetes is not enough; we need prevention and education."

He announced concrete measures to encourage physical activity and prevention among children: "I have decided to stop selling Pepsi and Coca-Cola in schools. […] We also need to move; we can't just sit on the couch watching television. It's human, but we stay inactive for too long. We need to engage in sports and encourage young people to participate in physical activities."

The Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Sports Complex, equipped with facilities for various sports disciplines and capable of hosting large audiences, is now a central hub for sports in Triolet. The long-awaited inauguration of this complex has been welcomed by the residents, who see it as an opportunity for young people to practice sports in good conditions and promote a healthy lifestyle.