Decorated as GOSK - Michael Glover: A Life Dedicated to Sports

At 85, Michael Glover has been honored as a Grand Officer of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean. A former Minister of Sports and current chairman of Mauritius Multi-Infrastructure Limited, he has dedicated his entire life to sports, taking on numerous responsibilities.

"This recognition motivates me to continue," says Michael Glover, currently traveling in Rodrigues. He expresses his surprise, stating, "It's unexpected. I thought my best years were behind me. I can only be proud. This is a very high rank for sports. I am also very happy to see that Kimberley Le Court de Billot-Pienaar, Yovani Philippe, and Sarjoo Gowreesunkur have also been honored. I dedicate this award to all my collaborators who have supported me throughout my career, particularly at the Ministry of Sports, the Trustfund, and now at Côte-d’Or."

Considered one of the best sports ministers in the country's history by many observers, Michael Glover has devoted his life to the service of sports. A football player in his youth, he recounts that during his studies in England, he undertook a three-month internship at Arsenal Football Club. "There, I was alongside professional players," he recalls, just over 18 at the time. "Unfortunately, I couldn't become a professional. In my humble opinion, it was a bit too late," he adds.

He also tried his hand at athletics. "I notably broke Christian Desjardins' national record in the 400m. I was also invited to participate in one of the Commonwealth Games, but I had to decline because I was asked to pay for my own plane ticket. Personally, I believe I would have excelled in athletics more than in football," he confides.

In politics, Michael Glover served as Minister of Sports from 1983 to 1996. "In 1988, I was entrusted with the Ministry of Tourism and Leisure. I had five ministries to manage. It was complicated!" He also served as president of the Supreme Sports Council in Africa and of the Conference of Ministers of Youth and Sports of La Francophonie. The introduction of the Trustfund in 1990 bears his mark.

Today, he continues to contribute to the country's development as chairman of Mauritius Multi-Infrastructure Limited in Côte-d’Or.