Every year, thousands of participants aged 6 to 75 come together to run, swim and cycle as part of IBL on the Move, a regionally significant initiative of the IBL Group that has become one of Mauritius’ most recognised sporting and solidarity events.
Launched in March 2013, before the merger between GML and Ireland Blyth, IBL on the Move has grown steadily over the years. The format has evolved and the event itself has changed names, but its direction has stayed the same. Its signature, Moving for a Cause, still captures the spirit behind the initiative today: using sport to bring people together around causes that matter to Mauritian society. For IBL, the event also reflects a broader conviction that the private sector must play a meaningful role in society, in this case by strengthening social ties and supporting the work of NGOs in Mauritius.
“Each year, registration fees collected during the event are donated to an NGO selected by the IBL on the Move committee and Fondation Joseph Lagesse,” explains Rachel Odillard, Events Specialist at IBL. “The funds are then transferred to the beneficiary organisation.” Over fourteen editions, fourteen different causes have been supported, ranging from employment support and addiction prevention to healthcare and the protection of vulnerable women. Beneficiary organisations have included The Good Shop, Les Cuisines Solidaires, Collectif Urgence Toxida and Kinouété, among others.
“Driven by IBL’s values of inclusion and togetherness, the event creates a bridge between the private sector, NGOs and the wider public around a shared cause that matters to the Mauritian society,” Rachel continues. “Beyond the financial support, it gives visibility to associations, raises awareness around their missions and helps bring together an engaged community.”
For the NGOs being supported, the impact is often immediate and tangible. In 2022, Centre d’Amitié de Bambous was able to renovate its daycare centre and maintain its teams thanks to the funds raised. Its director, Annema Ravina, still speaks fondly about the experience: “Being part of a fundraising initiative like this was unforgettable. 2022 was a difficult year and IBL on the Move truly felt like a blessing.”
In 2024, Pedostop, which supports child victims of sexual abuse through therapeutic and legal assistance, was able to secure much-needed breathing room. “Thanks to these funds, we were able to cover follow-up care costs for a year and a half, allowing us to support more than 50 beneficiaries,” says director Virginie Bissessur. More recently, on 9 April 2026, Kinouété officially launched its programme Using Sports as an Alternative to Drug Use and Delinquency, supported through the Rs 1.3 million raised during the event. The initiative notably resulted in partnership agreements being signed with ten local sports clubs.
This year’s edition focused on promoting the inclusion of people living with disabilities. Following a call for projects launched in 2025, APEIM and its Callithea Café project were selected. The initiative trains and supports people with intellectual disabilities, helping them develop professional skills and integrate sustainably into the workplace. “The project stood out because of both its relevance and impact, fully aligned with the values behind this year’s edition,” Rachel points out. For Julien Quenette, Programme Director at APEIM, the significance of the initiative went far beyond financial support: “Our beneficiaries genuinely felt included. And that’s what allows me to say: mission accomplished.”
Fourteen editions, fourteen associations and hundreds of lives impacted later, IBL on the Move has gradually established itself as a genuinely unifying platform, bringing together businesses, NGOs and the wider public around one shared objective: advancing causes that matter to Mauritian society in a concrete and lasting way.
Created in 2011, the Dodo Trail takes runners across the stunning landscapes of southwest Mauritius. Drawing participants from 27 nationalities (with over 350 international runners expected in 2026) it has become a regionally significant event that celebrates community, personal challenge, and the best of Mauritian know-how.
That diversity is what gives the event its distinctive energy: a shared spirit of pushing limits, fuelled by passion and a strong sense of community. Beyond putting Mauritius firmly on the map as a top destination for sport and nature, the Dodo Trail represents something deeper for the IBL Group: a chance to build bridges across borders and shine a spotlight on Mauritian talent and know-how.
