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Native Mauritius Children's Games

Mauritius is a small island off the coast of South Africa, just south of Madagascar. The government of Mauritius reports a population of more that 1 million as of 2009. There were approximately 357,000 children under the age of 18 in 2001, according to Global March Against Child Labour. Children in Mauritius, like everywhere else, love to play games including soccer, kite flying, marbles and horse jumping.

Soccer Passion
- World Cup fever fuels the soccer dreams of children in Mauritius.
  
  Soccer is a passion in Africa; the sport was introduced to Mauritius by the British. Children especially love the game, playing it in the streets, soccer fields, abandoned lots and any other possible place. Poor children in Mauritius will even tie up rags to make their soccer balls. The United Nations and FIFA, the federation that oversees the World Cup, sponsor a non-profit, pan-African tournament called the Organized Global Peace games for children and youth. Many young people from Mauritius participate.
Marbles
- The game of marbles is enjoyed by children in Mauritius.
  
  In the sand and in alleyways, children enjoy non-sponsored competition among themselves playing the recreational game of marbles. Children draw a circle in the street or sand and players take turns knocking other players' marbles out of the circle with their own marbles. This game is an inexpensive activity for preteen children in Mauritius.
Horse Riding
- Riding horses is a Mauritian pastime for upper-class youth and children. International competitions are held in horse jumping, which draw visitors from Australia, South Africa and the island of Reunion. There were four junior horse jumping competition clubs in the island of Mauritius and two beginner's clubs for children in 2006.

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