Maldives' bid to host IOIG 2023: 'It's time Maldives returned the hospitality accorded to our athletes'

Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has said that it is time that the Maldives returned the hospitality accorded to its athletes during the last 10 editions of the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG).

The minister said this in an interview to Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) News, after a meeting with Pravind Jugnauth, the country’s Prime Minister, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of External Communications and Minister of Finance and Economic Development.

The foreign minister and team, which consists of Sports Minister Ahmed Mahloof, met with the prime minister on Monday evening and presented a letter from President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, regarding Maldives’ bid to host the next Indian Ocean Island Games.

In the interview to MBC, the foreign minister noted that Maldives has taken part in the Indian Ocean Island Games for the past 10 years and that it is time that the country returned the hospitality.

Also at the call, Shahid and PM Jugnauth “discussed ways to further enhance the relationship between Maldives and Mauritius, through cooperation in various arenas.”

The delegation also met with Mauritian Minister of Youth and Sport Jean Christophe and the President of the Mauritius Olympic Committee Philippe Hao Thyn.

In a tweet posted after the meeting, Minster Mahloof said that they had "positive and discussions" and that he was “greatly encouraged by the discussions on further strengthening relations with [Maldives’] good neighbor Mauritius.”

The high-level delegation departed on the four-island tour on July 7.

While they first traveled to Seychelles, where President Danny Faure assured his support for Maldives' bid, they have also visited Madagascar and are set to travel to Comoros before concluding the tour.