MINUTES - FIFA.com

MINUTES OF THE 63 RD FIFA CONGRESS, MAURITIUS 2013 11
and to the government’s investment in the sport and in
building new stadiums and facilities, which included the
national training centre opened in 1993 and financial
assistance for first- and second-division clubs. He said
that in total, 12 acres of land had been dedicated to
FIFA Goal projects, and that the government and the
MFA were sincerely grateful to FIFA for the work it had
done through health initiatives, grassroots projects,
funding for infrastructure, particularly its financing of
the artificial turf for the upgrading of the stadium in
Port Louis, and in general its generous contribution to
football in Mauritius. He stressed the power of football
to transcend all barriers and foster unity and national
pride, and said it was important for young people to
develop a team spirit in order to succeed and to accept
defeat and learn from it, because through defeat one
learned to rise again after a fall and to fight again until
one won. Finally, he voiced his hope that Mauritius would
qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil and wished
the delegates and guests a very successful Congress.
While the FIFA anthem played, the flags of the FIFA
member associations were carried onto the stage by
418 children who had taken part in the FIFA Grassroots
and “11 for Health” programmes in Mauritius.
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International acrobat and contortionist Dima Shine
performed a routine inspired by the element water,
which was followed by a musical performance by
singer Linzy Bacbotte centred on the element earth,
accompanied by a choir and dancers. Lastly, dance
and juggling artist Victor Moiseev gave a performance
featuring seven footballs and inspired by the element
air.
*******
MFA President Persunnoo Dinnanathlall and CEO of
Mauritius Post Ltd Giandev Moteea presented the
President with a commemorative stamp marking the
hosting of the 63 rd FIFA Congress by Mauritius. Giandev
Moteea explained that the stamp, named the “Blue
Mauritius”, was a limited edition and its design was
based on the logo of the FIFA Congress. Its name
harked back to the world-famous Blue Penny stamp
issued in 1847, which was the first-ever stamp issued
by Mauritius.
*******
A tap dance and percussion routine featuring footballs
and inspired by the element fire was performed by
Mauritian dancer Muhammad Zahiir Cochowonth and
his team of dancers. The opening ceremony then drew
to a close with a grand finale performance of “The
World’s Greatest” by Lindiwe Bungane and featuring
Linzy Bacbotte, Eric Triton, Véronique Zuël-Bungaroo,
and the Clarisse Sisters.