History

In 1990 there was a request from the Ministry of Education for the urge to recruit a physical education teacher or a sports officer for the University of Mauritius which had a student population of around 1000 students.

Why this need? Because they felt that education would not be holistic without physical education and sports. At that time only a few indoor games tournaments were organised by members of the students' union. These indoor tournaments were left incomplete.

With the arrival of the new Sports officer, the organisation of the indoor tournaments could be well organised and framed with rules and regulations. Despite of the lack of sports infrastructures, arrangements were made with other sports institutions so as to organise activities like football, badminton tournaments, swimming and annual sports day. Other sports tournaments like volleyball, basketball, tennis were run at the Maryse Justin Sports complex. Prizes were awarded to winners and runners up so as to motivate more students to participate in sports activities.

In 1997 there was the setting up of the University Sports Committee with objectives to:

-Encourage participation of staff and students in sports and leisure activities.
-Set up guidelines or procedures for the organisation of sports activities on campus.
-Monitor the organisation of sport activities.

Over this period, the Sports unit has established a database of recreational facilities at Reduit, drawn up procedures for the use of facilities after hours, monitor the purchase of sports equipment and made appropriate recommendations.

With the second phase development of the University of Mauritius, more space could be available to students at the new students common room and an office was provided for the sports unit. Activities like Martial Arts (Tan soo do, Tae kwon Do, Taichi, Shotokan Karate), Yoga, Bharat Natyam, and Aerobic are organised currently. In addition indoor games like babyfoot ,pinballs and pool tables have been placed so as to offer more leisure activities to students.

As at today the Sports Unit of the University of Mauritius is well structured, comprising of one Sports Organiser, one Sports officer, one clerk, one Sports office Attendant and one general field Attendant to have a better control of sports equipment issued to students and for a better organisation and monitoring of sports activities on the campus for a student population of 6,000.

Not only sports activities are organised on the campus but also there are Inter-University Sports exchange programme that are held each year between the University of Reunion Island.

In the year 1999 a delegation of 8 students in Reunion Island for a volleyball tournament.

In the year 2000 a delegation of 21 students in Seychelles Island for a Tan Soo Do (martial arts) tournament.

In the year 2001 the University of Mauritius acted as host for an exchange sports programme in athletics and football with  Reunion Island.

In the year 2002 a delegation of 21 students went in Reunion Island for badminton, Tennis and Table Tennis tournament.

In the year 2004 a delegation of 10 students went to Dubai for a volleyball tournament.

In the year 2004 the University of Mauritius acted as host for an exchange programme in volleyball and badminton with Réunion  Island.

In the year 2005 a delegation of 12 students went to Reunion Island for basketball and table tennis tournament.

In the year 2007 a delegation of 4 students went to South Korea for Inter Religious Sports Festival.

In the year 2008 a delegation of 22 students went to Reunion Island for a Volleyball, basketball and badminton tournament.

In the year 2009 a delegation of 4 students from university of London participated with students of university of Mauritius in a badminton tournament.

In the year 2009 a delegation of 45 students from Reunion island participated in football, basketball and volleyball tournaments.

In the year 2010 a delegation of 40 students went to Reunion Island for volleyball, basketball, and badminton and football tournament.

In 2002, Sports fee was included in the general fee. This fee will help the University to widen the organisation of sports and games activities and for the renewal of sports and games equipment.

In the year 2003 the Sports Unit in collaboration with the Faculty of Science has introduced an optional module in Physical Education and Sports.

The purpose of this module is to expose the students with a broad idea about physical education and sports. From this perspective they will develop an appreciation for Physical education and Sports thus building a sports culture in their everyday living.

Lastly the University proposed to occupy the plot of plan adjacent to the gymnasium and it would include the following facilities:

1. A Levelled football pitch

2. A multipurpose hall including squash courts

3. A tennis court

4. A petanque pitch

5. A beach volley pitch

6. A beach soccer pitch

7. An open swimming pool with room changing facilities