Moka Smart City proudly welcomed the Island Games torch, a symbol of unity and friendship, during its ceremonial relaying around the island on Monday, 15th July.
A colourful Monday afternoon
Since Friday 19th July, the Indian Ocean Islands Games (IOIG) has been in full swing in Mauritius. An unmissable stop on the torch relay, the city of Moka organised a series of events for its residents, who came in numbers, during its tour on Monday at 5.30 PM!
The relay started in Helvétia on the royal road (A7) where four djembe drummers set the mood. 200 Mauritian flags were also distributed to the public, which consisted mainly of the inhabitants of the region, members of the Moka Rangers Sports Club and employees from Vivéa Business Park (including ENL Group).
The bearers of the torch
Five representatives for the region of Moka region were chosen to carry the torch over a 500 m relay (100 m each) between Helvétia and the Saint-Pierre Shell petrol station: Aurélie Halbwachs, Jérôme Retourner, Kaleyevanee Nursiniloo, Kurline Ravina and Yohan Pierre.
Aurélie Halbwachs, a National ATV Champion, representative of the Moka Rangers Sports Club and Operations Manager at the Synergy Sport & Wellness Institute, noticed a real passion for sports in the region. Alongside the various developments in Moka, the demand for sports activities has, according to her, considerably increased. “It’s great to be in Mauritius during the Island Games. It is an event that piques the interests of the entire population and I am honoured to have carried the torch in this festive atmosphere,” she adds.
Jérôme Retourner, a police officer, also said he was “110% proud of having carried the torch because it was a way for me to participate in the Islands Games”. Even though Jérôme is not a professional athlete, he is a trail lover and a member of Rando Trail and Nature. This resident of Moka believes that “the region is an ideal place for athletes. We’ve got Le Pouce Mountain, lots of sports facilities and the new walking and cycling trail – La Promenade, which stretches for 3 kms linking Telfair to Helvétia”. He hopes to be able to attend swimming events during the Games!
Kaleyevanee Nursiniloo is the Legal Counsel and Data Protection Officer at ENL Group. This Goodlands resident, who works in Moka, testifies: “As a schoolgirl, I remember seeing the torch passing by and saying to myself that I would like to carry it one day. So, it was a real pride for me!” Kaleyevanee, like Aurélie and Jérôme, is a great sportswoman. Passionate about endurance sports, she now devotes herself to hiking and trekking – and also enjoys scuba diving and horse riding. She is a football fan and will likely attend a match during the Games.
Moka, an active city
Moka Smart City is committed to promoting sports within the region, but also to bringing together Mauritians for sports events, open to all, such as the Moka Trail, the Moka Tennis Open and soon the Puma Night Run Moka, an international event that invites you to energetically discover the city at night!