The Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR), in the run up to XIX Commonwealth Games scheduled to be held in Delhi from October 3-14, 2010, passed through Mauritius on January 7-8, 2010. Mauritius was the 20th Commonwealth country/territory to receive the baton. The Queen’s baton reached Mauritius from Seychelles. The entire gamut of activities in Mauritius to mark the passage of the baton was organised by the Mauritius National Olympic Committee (MNOC) in collaboration with the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Mauritius and the High Commission of India in Mauritius. The crew members were Mr. Sharad Rao, Honorary Legal Advisor, Commonwealth Games Federation, Mr. Adam Best, QBR Consultant Logistics and Operations, Col. Kuldeep Banshtu, QBR Spokesperson and Mr. Mukundan Asokan, QBR official photographer.

2. The team called on H.E. the President of the Republic of Mauritius, Rt. Hon. Sir Anerood Jugnauth, GCSK, KCMG, QC. The baton was received by H.E. the President at the State House who in turn handed it over to H.E.  Hon.Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. Satyaprakash Ritoo. The star athletes of Mauritius became proud baton bearers during the relay which covered the length and breadth of the island.

3. The baton was received at the Appravasi Ghat, a World Heritage Site in Mauritius, where the indentured labourers from India landed 175 years ago. The baton marked its journey not only on land but also through water when it was carried in a yacht in the north of the island. Sega, the local music and dance form, added colours to the various events.

4. A Commonwealth Business Club of India (CBCI) delegation comprising Mr. T.S. Darbari, Joint Director General, Organising Committee, Commonwealth Games Delhi-2010 and Mr. Vikram kaul, Chairman- Communication/Marketing and Revenue Sub-Committee of the Organising Committee, Commonwealth Games Delhi-2010 visited Mauritius which coincided with the passage of the baton through Mauritius. A business presentation was organised jointly by CBCI and the High Commission of India at the Indira Gandhi Centre for Indian Culture on January 8, 2010 enumerating the possibilities to effectively use the Commonwealth Games Delhi platform to promote further India’s trade and investment relations with the Commonwealth fraternity. Hon. Minister of Industry, Science and Research of Mauritius, Mr. Dharam Gokhool was present. The event was also attended by senior officials from various Ministries and prominent businessmen. The queen’s baton was also welcomed during the event which was followed by a cocktail/reception. 

5. The baton left for South Africa on January 9, 2010.