by Olalekan Okusan, ITTF-Africa Press Officer

Mauritius, one of the least hit countries by the pandemic, life is gradually returning to normal; alongside table tennis, other individual sports such as swimming, boxing and athletics are also back in action.

According to Frenchman Cédric Rouleau, the national coach, who directs the training alongside Allan Arnachellum, the necessary precautions put in place by the Mauritius Ministry of Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation, as well as the International Table Tennis Federation, are being respected by the Mauritius Table Tennis Association. A rota has been organised, each player required to practise two hours per day.

Restrictions

In the training hall, there was no access to the public, parents or any unauthorised person; wearing a face mask was mandatory for the players arriving and leaving the premises. Additionally, the body temperature of each player was checked on entering, a sanitizer being made available for all who entered to clean hands.

Moreover, in a statement issued by the Mauritius Table Tennis Association, social distancing rules were observed, each athlete received a pack of table tennis balls and wipes to disinfect their rackets.

European based players

The training is part of the preparation for major tournaments ; notably in addition, several players from Mauritius, based in Europe, have started practising. Living in Paris, the Hosenally sisters, Oumehani and Ash, continued their training at home; also resident in France, Akhilen Yogarajah and Prathna Jalim are returning to action.

Most notably, 16 year old Oumehani Hosenally is a young lady who is catching the eye; on the most recent Under 18 Girls’ World Rankings, issued for April, she is listed at no.74, a climb of over 100 places! In March she stood at no.179.

Now that’s progress; no doubt more to follow.