While they feel that they have a better idea of the situation, they do not deny the “difficulties that remain to be overcome” at different levels.
The Association of Indian Ocean Radio and Television, Artoi, closed its general meeting in Moroni on Thursday, 8 October, dedicated to the audiovisual coverage of the Indian Ocean Islands Games (Jioi) scheduled for the Comoros in 2027. Prior to the closing conference chaired by its President, Valérie Filain, together with the Deputy Managing Director of Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (Sbc), Nathalie Rose, the Managing Director of Mayotte the first, Toufaili Andjilani, as well as the Managing Director of Ortc, Hablani Assoumani, the association’s delegation visited venues to host the competitions.From Mitsudje, for the Olympic pool, to the Maluzini omnisports stadium, to the construction site of the Games Village, to Mwandzaza Djumbe, they were able to see the state of progress of the infrastructures to house the various disciplines.
“A better idea of the situation”
After this visit, guided by the President of Coji, Mohamed Issimailla, and his team, they were received by the Minister of Telecommunications, Omouri Mmadi Hassani. Discussions focused on the connectivity, infrastructure and technical means needed to retransmit the Games to the territories of the region. The delegation then met with the Minister of Information on the strengthening of the audiovisual sector. On the menu of discussions with Fatima Ahamada, there was also coordination of communication around major events.
Present at a press conference, the President of the Artoi said that the various meetings allowed the Atroi delegation to leave with a better idea of the situation: “what we saw and the exchanges we had today allow us to say that the Games will take place,” she said. The Regional Director of Reunion the first said she was particularly pleased with the reception reserved for officials, but also with the meetings organised with the officials involved in the preparation of the event.
At the same time, Valérie Filain extended his attention to the “difficulties that remain to be overcome”: “the opening ceremony is scheduled for 10 August 2027 and so there are about ten months left to set up the audiovisual system. We need to know how to scale teams, organize the technical device and with what means of transmission,” she explained. And add: “we are not here to fool you.”
Wish for a new visit before expiry
For Nathalie Rose, Deputy Executive Director of Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation (Sbc), the visit was “very constructive”. The Seychellois official stated that her delegation wished to return to the Comoros before the Games “in order to monitor the progress of preparations” and said that the Sbc would provide support to contribute to the success of the event.
The head of Mayotte the first, Toufaili Andjilani, also said he was reassured after the various visits. For him, the priority now was to accompany Comorian television in preparing audiovisual coverage. Mayotte’s first, he confirmed, will indeed be present at the 2027 Games.
For his part, the general manager of the Ortc, Hablani Assoumani, said that this general assembly was the occasion of “important exchanges” with the media of the region before thanking President Valérie Filain and the various delegations for their trip to the Comoros: “even some Comorians doubt the holding of these Games, but, again, we are confident,” he said, arguing for the strengthening of collaboration between the media of the Indian Ocean. “We must help each other between the media,” he called.
A first breakdown of the coverage of disciplines was also presented in brief by the President of the Artoi. In principle, the Sbc must ensure the transmission of boxing, Mayotte the first will take on basketball and the disciplines that will take place at the Olympic gymnasium. Mauritians should cover volleyball and Réunion the first swimming. Ortc will be responsible for football and other disciplines.
“Be ready when…”
With this meeting, Artoi laid the foundation for audiovisual coverage of the 2027 Games. The distribution announced will still need to be clarified, particularly in terms of teams, equipment and transmission. However, according to the president of the association, Valérie Filain, the work now begins, with a single objective: “to be ready when the Games open, on August 10”.