Malagasy athletics is already looking ahead to the 2027 Indian Ocean Island Games (JIOI). This was announced by Norolalao Andriamahazo, President of the Malagasy Athletics Federation (FMA), during a press briefing held on Friday at the federation’s headquarters at the Alarobia Stadium.
Two national events are scheduled to allow athletes to compete and technicians to identify top talent one year before the 2027 JIOI, which will be held in the Comoros: the Madagascar Youth Championship and the All-Category Championship.
The Madagascar Youth Championship will take place from July 31 to August 2, followed by the All-Category Championship from August 7 to 9. Nearly 500 young athletes are expected for the first competition, with a slightly lower number anticipated for the senior and other categories. The goal is to revitalize a discipline that has seen a significant decline in recent years.
“We decided to return to managing Malagasy athletics after observing a significant drop in performance. Many events once dominated by Malagasy athletes are now won by neighboring islands. This means we have regressed, and we must regain our strength as quickly as possible,” explained Norolalao Andriamahazo, President of the FMA.
The federation aims to send 25 men and 25 women to the 2027 JIOI, with the goal of competing against Mauritius and surpassing the 2023 results. To achieve this, four training camps are planned before the competition, with hopes for state support and the involvement of all stakeholders. “Any athlete who breaks a Madagascar record during the national championships will receive a special bonus,” she added.
The federation also wishes to strengthen work in technical events, currently considered one of the weak points for athletes from the Great Island. However, access to the Alarobia Stadium for technical training remains a challenge. The presence of football players and high school students on the field limits training opportunities and reduces the athletes’ room for maneuver in certain events.
Captured & Published at: 2026-07-25 06:39:26 (Madagascar Local Time EAT)
Original Source: https://www.lexpress.mg/2026/07/athletisme-les-jioi-de-2027-en-ligne-de.html