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Seychelles endorses Maldives' bid to host IOIG

Mariyam Malsa
11 July 2019, MVT 18:25
Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof and President of Seychelles Danny Faure. PHOTO: MINISTRY OF YOUTH SPORTS AND COMMUNITY EMPOWERMENT
Mariyam Malsa
11 July 2019, MVT 18:25

Minister of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment Ahmed Mahloof, on Thursday, stated that Seychelles endorsed Maldives bid to host the 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG).

The sports minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdulla Shahid are currently visiting Seychelles as a Special Envoy of President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Both ministers have met the President of Seychelles Danny Faure.

In addition to guaranteeing full support to Maldivian efforts to host the IOIG, Mahloof stated that Seychelles would establish closer relations with Maldives in areas concerning youth and sports.

Minister Shahid has held a meeting with the Principal Secretary of the Seychelles Department of Foreign Affairs and deliberated on ways to increase bilateral cooperation between the two countries in various fields.

Minister Mahloof previously stated that the Maldivian delegation would also meet the Prime Ministers of Comoros and Mauritius during the trip.

In addition to Maldives, Comoros and Mauritius have submitted bids to host the 2023 IOIG games. An IOIG delegation is set to visit each of these countries to inspect their respective resources and capacities. In the past week, a delegation from IOIG visited Maldives in the past week and met several government authorities.

President of the IOIG council and Seychelles Olympic Committee President Antonio Gopal previously stated that Maldives' bid is likely to be successful.

The location of the 2023 IOIG will be announced at the closing ceremony of the 2019 games. Gopal stated that the late announcement is intended to ensure the best decision.

A team of Maldives athletes will be participating in this year's IOIG which will be held in Mauritius from 18 to 29 June. Certain national teams are also receiving international training with government help.

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