Minister Marie-Celine Zialor visits Youth and Sports department and National Sports Council |01 December 2020

‘Eliminate traditional mindset through better applied Youth and Sports policies’

More professionalism in sports and the necessity to work jointly with other ministries and governmental departments are among the immediate targets of new Minister for Youth, Sports and Family Marie-Celine Zialor whose vision is to revitalise the ministry.

Minister Zialor said old or traditional mindsets should be replaced by a more proactive, realistic and modern approach in order for youth and sports to move forward, shine and achieve greater results.

She was speaking shortly after courtesy visits to the Youth and Sports department at Ocean Gate House and the National Sports Council (NSC) at Stad Linite.

She was accompanied by principal secretary for Youth and Sports Fabian Palmyre.

At the Ocean Gate House Minister Zialor visited various offices, including the Administrative Governance and Compliance, Human Resources Management and Administration, Policy and Research and the Duke of Edinburgh International Award Programme, while at Stad Linite, hosted by chief executive Jean Larue, Minister Zialor had a short meeting with members of the NSC management, before touring the stadium to see staff from all sections and units.

During the meeting she had the chance to hear various achievements and challenges from the seniors of the council, namely Alain Alcindor (director for water sports), Terrence Barbé (director for sports management and development), Bernard Denis (director for Sports Training and Technical Development), Francis Remie (director Sports for All), Rose-May Ernesta (head of human resources) and Lisette Nolin (head accounts).

The news sports minister explained that if we want to take sports further, it is important to come up with new and more updated policies which will ease the process, instead of sticking to the old or traditional way of doing things.

For this process, Minister Zialor said she is getting the full support from President Wavel Ramkalwan who is also an advocate of sports activities.

Being responsible of both youth and sports, Minister Zialor also explained that the latter is also the best way to tackle pertinent health issues such as obesity, especially among younger people who will be tomorrow’s workforce.

This, she said, will also involve the third element of her portfolio which is family and other departments such as education and health.

Minister Zialor further added that it is time to professionalise sports and elevate its standard, especially regarding the different related professions and careers.

She said she is confident in the technicians who are professionals in their area, while she will be as a motivator to help them better deliver along some new ways of doing things, involving more performance management and accountability.

“If we work smarter and deliver better, we will have more time to dream and work on our first Olympic medal,” concluded Minister Zialor.

The accompanying photos show some highlights of Minister Zialor’s visits yesterday.

Roland Duval

Photos: Thomas Meriton