Ministry of Youth and Sports (Mauritius)

Following the coalition government between the Labour Party and the Parti Mauricien Social Démocrate in December 1969, the ministry of Youth and Sports was established for the first time.^[4] Raymond Rault from the Labour Party became its first minister. He would remain in office until 1971, when he was replaced by Dayanundlall Basant Rai. Basant Rai would served as minister until 1976, when he was replaced by Hurrydew Ramchurn.

Under Anerood Jugnauth's first government, Diwakur Bundhun of the Mauritian Militant Movement was appointed as minister until he resigned in March 1983 after a mass resignation triggered by a split within the coalition government. Sylvio Michel would replace him and in turn would serve until August 1983.

Michael Glover, a physical education teacher by profession, from the Labour Party became minister and would hold the office for the entirety of Jugnauth's first stint as prime minister until 1995. He was the longest-serving minister.^[5] The ministry's portfolio title was modified in 1988 after the tourism portfolio was transferred to Glover and became known as the ministry of Youth, Sports and Tourism until 1991 when it reverted back to its original title.

In 2019, the ministry's portfolio title was once more modified to Youth Empowerment, Sports and Recreation under Pravind Jugnauth's second government. The focus of the youth section of the ministry was modified to youth empowerment.^[4] Stephan Toussaint, who was appointed in 2017 under Pravind's first government, remained in office as minister until 2024.

Deven Nagalingum was appointed as minister by Navin Ramgoolam in November 2024 and subsequently, the ministry's portfolio title reverted to simply the ministry of Youth and Sports.

Within the sports area, the ministry is responsible for the promotion of sports and ensure opportunity for all citizens to practice any sports whether for recreation or competition. The creation and development of sports infrastructure and facilities are also within its responsibilities. The ministry also provides incentives, whether financial or technical, to athletes to participate in various competitions at various levels and to sport federations within the country for promotion and development of their respective disciplines.^[4]

The ministry's responsibilities for the youth include providing opportunities for them to develop their personal and social skills and empower their leadership skills. Psychological and economic empowerment, with special emphasis on mental, emotional, innovation and entrepreneurial aspects, are espoused by the ministries through various youth programmes.^[4]