It was President Faure who as the then education minister in 2003, working along with former education special advisor Marie Therese Choppy, conceived the idea to have a young citizens’ movement aimed at teaching children discipline, togetherness, friendliness and good manners, among other things.

They also get to take part in a series of activities such as educational visits and cultural activities.

The Young Citizens Programme was formally launched on March 12, 2004.

The Young Citizens programme, present in all primary and secondary schools on Mahé and Praslin, is for young people aged six to 17 years. The motto of the Young Citizens is ‘Mon Pei, Mon Patri pour Touzour’.

Talking on the success and challenges of the movement managed by the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC), the director of the programme, Anne-Marie Adrienne, said the Young Citizens Programme has at the moment 48 school facilitators which are not enough as there are still some schools with no facilitators to work with the children.

She said that getting finance to run the programme and a proper place for the youth to camp are among the biggest challenges.

“Some people might be amazed to learn that some young people don’t even know how to sweep, arrange their clothes, make their beds, do some cooking, among other small daily household duties. These are the sort of things we teach them so that they can be of some help in the homes and that also prepare them to be responsible citizens,” Mrs Adrienne said.

She described the programme as “very successful”.

Welcoming the young citizens, the majority of whom were making their first visit to State House, President Faure said that to celebrate the success of the 15 years of the Young Citizens Programme we have to thank all those who have contributed and supported the programme.

He noted that if all stakeholders – parents, teachers and the society – give support and comfort to children, the country will see a bright future with young people of good moral and positive values.

President Faure made a personal engagement to continue supporting the programme.

He launched an appeal for more facilitators to join the programme in the schools and also appealed to the business community to help finance youth programmes at all levels as it will contribute to the development of the youth and the country.

“The problem in the society today differs from that of 2004. The problems are very complex with many difficulties. There are different actors in our country that are working together to do more for our children and we would like to thank them all,” President Faure said.

He also thanked the children for making it to State House in their same original black coloured skirts and trousers and yellow t-shirts bearing the hand logo for the past 15 years.

On behalf of his colleagues, 12-year-old Kein Bannane from Perseverance secondary school thanked President Faure for giving them the privilege to express their wishes and desires and vowed to continue to work hard to lift the country high.

Gracia Labiche, a facilitator of the programme for 15 years and teacher from La Rosière primary school, said she felt proud and honoured to see some of the children she had worked with occupying high positions in the country.

“I will be retiring soon and I hope the up and coming facilitators stay committed so that they can stay on for a further 15 years to helping our young people. I have enjoyed my 15 years with the programme,” she said, noting that the programme has brought her to discover places she would never have dreamt of visiting.

During the ceremony Noamie Barbe from Belonie secondary school read ‘Paviyon Mon Pei’, a poem written by Juliette Insenga.

Later President Faure invited Mrs Adrienne and Tracy Morel from Au Cap primary school, Delores Confiance from Baie Lazare primary school and Rimond Michel from Takama primary school for the anniversary cake cutting.

All Young Citizens talked too yesterday said they will stay on the programme to continue to learn new things from the many things being taught.

They also noted that they have made a lot of friends.

“Young Citizens helps us to learn many things that we can do to help at home and I will stay until I reach secondary school. It’s fun,” said Dolores Confiance.

The chief executive of SNYC, Penny Belmont, was also present at the gathering.

The event is held every two years, in even years, and gives young open water swimmers between the ages of 14 and 19 an opportunity to compete at the highest level.

The youth (14-16 years old) races take place on a 5km distance, while the juniors (17-18 years old) compete on a 7.5km course.

Team races which take place on the third day cover 3km.

Seychelles was being represented at the last event in 2018 by three swimmers, with young Bertrand Payet honoured to read the oath of the championships.

In a press conference yesterday at the Gecko Bar, Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa at Beau Vallon, Seychelles Swimming Association (SSA) chairman David Vidot said Seychelles won the bid to organise the event while attending the 14th Fina world swimming short course championships at the Hangzhou Olympic and International Expo Centre in Hangzhou, China last year.

Yesterday’s event was also attended by the Minister for Finance, Trade, Investment and Economic Planning Maurice Loustau-Lalanne, chief executive of the National Sports Council (NSC) Jean Larue, chief executive of the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Sherin Naiken, principal secretary for youth and sports Fabian Palmyre and NSC board chairman Eddie Micock.

Mr Vidot said the event will boost the chance of Seychelles becoming a pioneer in open water swimming at regional and continental level.

He explained that no other African country has ever been so audacious to bring such an event to their shores.

Mr Vidot also noted that the event will serve as an inspiration for our youngsters as it will offer them the chance of a lifetime to swim in a world championship.

This, he said, will motivate them to train harder, knowing that the event is world class and only the best will take part.

He also urged all the partners to join forces as they will all have their share of benefits and success through the event

On behalf of the NSC, Mr Larue said hosting the event is a great achievement for our small country, compared to the size of previous hosts.

He added that the event is also very important as emphasis is currently being put on youth development, especially the ‘learn to swim campaign’ which encourages all kids to learn to swim.

Mr Larue added that our natural resources offer equal opportunities to most sporting activities and on that note commended the SSA for its initiative and encouraged other sports governing bodies to follow the example by coming up with similar initiatives which, he said, will benefit the whole country.

Mrs Francis said the STB welcomes the idea and will bring its full support as they will greatly benefit from it as an industry, especially through media coverage.

She also urged every partner in the tourism industry to back up the event as it will also be greatly beneficial to them.

On behalf of the Seychelles government, Mr Loustau-Lalanne said such an initiative will be financially backed, as preserving youth development remains a key target.

He also noted that similar initiatives are always welcomed, on the condition that they are properly organised and on that note he also commended the SSA for its commitment and boldness in bidding for such a big event.

Seychelles will soon host for the second time the Fina/Hosa Marathon Swim World Series. The event is scheduled for Sunday May 12 at the Beau Vallon beach.

Like last year, the event will also feature the open challenge – mass participation races – which will be organised in parallel of the 10km elite race.

When Seychelles hosted the Fina/Hosa marathon open water swim world series for the first time on Sunday May 20 last year, there was a tight finish for the women’s and men’s second leg races as 2017 winners Arianna Bridi and Simone Ruffini of Italy sprinted to the finish line of the 10km contests in the turquoise sea at Beau Vallon.

Bridi’s winning time was 1 hour 58 minutes 32.3 seconds (1h58:32.3) while Ruffini reached home in 1h49.41.9.

According to the competitors, Seychelles deserved an A+ grade for organisation, especially after the organisers had to work overtime the day before the event (Saturday) after calling off the day’s mass event after all the pontoons and buoys were lost or damaged by bad weather late Friday afternoon.

The organisers had to recover everything and place them back on Saturday after the sea at Beau Vallon had returned to its usual calmness, ready for the Sunday morning event.

The Positive Youth Award hosted by SNYC under the theme ‘Celebrating Youth Empowerment’ saw youths aged 15 to 30 who have made exceptional positive contributions towards their schools and community being recognised and awarded in a prestigious ceremony in the presence of their family, school representatives and respective youth workers.

The ceremony serves as an incentive to encourage other young people to follow in the footsteps of their peers and apply positive living values in their everyday interactions and conduct.

It also serves as an opportunity for SNYC to reinforce the importance of a youth population empowered to be resilient, wholesome individuals willing to contribute to the well-being of others and society at large.

In total, 61 youths were recognised for their positive contributions from four different categories including secondary school, post-secondary school, district level and youths from affiliated organisations.

Certificates of recognition were presented to youths by Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, principal secretary for the department of local government Marie-Celine Vidot, principal secretary for youth and sports Fabian Palmyre as well as chief executive of SNYC Alvin Laurence and other officials from SNYC.

CEO of SNYC Alvin Laurence congratulated all the young people for their positive contributions to their respective educational institutions and communities and urged them to continue working for the betterment of their communities and the country.

Five finalists, one from each category and one representing the inner islands, were also rewarded for their outstanding efforts, dedication and commitment towards youth empowerment. The five candidates were Daryl Adolphe at secondary school level, Julio Charles at post-secondary level, Shanice Joubert at district level, Dora Radegonde for inner islands and Ronny Marengo from an affiliated organisation.

Each candidate will be given an opportunity to represent Seychelles on an overseas youth-related mission within the next year.

However, Julio Charles was revealed as the overall winner and the new ambassador for SNYC for the upcoming year.

Julio, who is currently undertaking his studies at the University of Seychelles (UniSey), is also an executive committee member of anti-bullying campaign group Stand Up! Step Up Seychelles.

Julio expressed his gratitude towards SNYC for having supported him and having selected him as the new ambassador.

“I wish to also thank the community in general as it takes a whole society to raise youths with good values. I will also thank other youths as I am a youth ambassador myself,” Julio said.

He added that he will make use of his one-year mandate as SNYC ambassador to float the Seychelles flag at overseas events and to shed light on the positive work engaged in by many youths in Seychelles.

“I’m proud. This is not just for me but also for my family and my community,” said Julio.

Throughout the soirée, attendees were also treated to performances by local artists including Taniah, Mercenary and Xtra Big before they were invited for a lavish dinner.

The accompanying photographs show the winners in the different categories.

The competition will take place at the Emirates Palace on Friday and Payet who leaves the country today will be accompanied by French coach Guillaume Bachmann.

Friday’s competition will be organised on a 2km course where the swimmers must complete five laps.

It will be the third race for Payet in this year’s series and for the first time he will be competing without his brother Bertrand.

In the first series race held in Qatar, Payet did not complete the race, while in the second race held at the Beau Vallon beach in March, he completed the race 23rd overall in 2 hours, 11 minute 55.4 seconds in (2h11:55.4).

Very confident and prepared, Damien told Sports NATION he has been training very hard for the event and he is certain that he would complete it in a better time, compared to his last performance.

“I have been training very hard and I am sure i will perform much faster,” said the young swimmer.

Friday’s race will be the last in this year’s series which began in Doha (Qatar, March 3), Beau Vallon (Seychelles, May 20), Setubal (Portugal, June 9), Balatonfüred (Hungary, June 16), Lac St. Jean (Canada, July 26), Lac Megantic (Canada, August 11), Chun’An (China, September 16) and  Taiwan (September 22).

The Fina marathon swim world series annually staged elite-level competition is organised in over nine locations and takes places in either fresh water or sea.

Since 2007, Fina decided to focus the World Cup on the 10km distance only, as a direct consequence of the introduction of the 10km marathon swim into the Olympic programme in 2008.

Each event comprises one day competition programme (for men and women) and approximately +50 national federations and 370 athletes from all over the world.

The event prize money is US $30,000 while the overall prize money is US $250,000. Both prizes are divided across the first eight women and men swimmers, making a total prize money purse of US $550,000.

As of this year, Fina is staging officially together with the elite race (10km) which foresees the involvement of Olympic and World Championships medallists, the mass participation event (Open Challenge).

In each event, points are awarded to the swimmers depending upon their race finishing position.

Swimmers may accumulate points at each event in which they take part and finish, with their total points counting towards the overall final rankings for each year.

The overall annual winners will be decided by the male and female swimmers respectively, who have accumulated the most points at events in that year, provided that they have taken part in a minimum of 70 percent of events in that year, including the final event of the season.

Until now, the men’s standings is being led by Dutch swimmer Ferry Weetman (78 points), followed by Britain’s Jack Burnell (62 points). Simone Ruffini of Italy is third (55 points), followed by Dutchman Marcel Scouten (51 points) and Italian Mateo Furlan (50 points).

The women’s competition is being led by Brazilian Ana Marcela Cunha (96 points), followed by Sharon Van Rouwendaal of the Netherlands (66 points).

Italian Rachele Bruni is third also on 66 points, ahead of Leonie Beck of Germany who is on 62 points. Finnia Wunram also from Germany is fifth on 52 points.

The annual prize money to be awarded for both the men’s and women’s series overall winners is as follows:

1st US $38,000

2nd US $26,000

3rd US $18,000

4th US $15,000

5th US $11,000

6th US $8,500

7th US $5,000

8th US $3,500

This year’s Games follow two successful meetings in 2014 and 2016 and it is gathering students from the 11 public and four private secondary schools in the country, battling for the top spots in athletics, basketball, swimming, football, table tennis and volleyball.

At the last Games in 2016, it was the Anse Royale Secondary School who emerged as the best overall.

Yesterday’s opening ceremony which was held in partnership with the Youth Festival organising committee was attended by principal secretary for youth and sports Fabian Palmyre, chief executive of the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) Alvin Laurence, board chairman of the National Sports Council (NSC) Eddie Micock, chief executive of the NSC Jean Larue, head teachers, staff of the SNYC and NSC.

It started with a march past by athletes, before the Games’ hymn was performed by Christiana Alexis.

Launching the third Games, Mr Laurence reminded the athletes that it is the perfect opportunity for them to prove themselves and show what they can do as the youth of their country, despite the negative image which presently portrays the younger generation.

On his part, PS Palmyre urged the athletes to compete in unity, respect and tolerance towards one another.

“Despite being in opposite teams, it is important to practice unity and friendship,” he added.

Young athlete Kiran Bhageeruty and official Tasha Barbé then took the oath on behalf of their colleagues, before some cheer leading and dance performances put the guests on the edge of their seats.

The official opening ceremony ended with a series of boxing exhibition bouts.

The Zwe Lespwar was initiated as a tool to get the youngsters to enjoy sports, make friends, and develop good values and attitudes, including discipline, tolerance and fairness, while keeping them away from social ills.

The accompanying photos were taken during yesterday afternoon’s ceremony.

Mr Micock made the statement during the NSC’s first forum for the year, held last week at the Maison Football auditorium, Roche Caïman.

The meeting which gathered leaders and other senior representatives of the various local sports governing bodies, representatives of the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (Socga), NSC board members was attended by principal secretary for youth and sports Fabian Palmyre, chief executive of the NSC Giovanna Rousseau who is also a board member along with senior officials of the NSC.

Mr Micock said each and every sporting body should take its own responsibility in preparing and handing in their programmes well in advance so that the authority can work on how to better accommodate them financially.

With the full cooperation and dedication of the federations, Mr Micock said, it will be easier to help them.

He also urged them to, as much as they can, to try and look for some sponsors to compliment the support from the government.

Illustrating the proper structure of sports and how it should run, Mr Micock referred to Seychelles’ sports as a vehicle, with members of the public being the owner, while the NSC team is the engine.

The board, Mr Micock said, is the fuel, while the sporting federations and associations were referred to as the driver.

“All parties are important for the vehicle to reach its destination,” explained Mr Micock.

He also added that the board encourages the involvement of the public, especially all those who can help financially, or through their various areas of expertise.

Speaking in his capacity as the chairman of the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) technical committee Mr Palmyre said they are very disappointed as only five sports federations – football, cycling, athletics, volleyball and yachting – out of the 12 selected for next year’s Games in Mauritius, have submitted their plans and costing.

The deadline to hand in the documents was set at end of April 2018.

He explained that the longer they take, the more delay there will be in receiving the funding, thus affecting their preparations for the Games.

Mr Palmyre also urged the federations and associations to include a youth development programme in the plans and to also work harder in that area.

Delegates at the forum also had the chance to learn about the new development regarding the sports medicine unit through a presentation by head of the unit Derick Sauzier.

Mr Sauzier said the unit has now acquired the service of an orthopedic surgeon who will deal with the more serious injury cases, as well as prevention.

He also talked on the setbacks encountered by the unit, especially through lack of communication with the federations and associations.

One typical example is short notice request for health personnel at events.

This, Mr Sauzier said, can cause some inconveniences as they do not have a lot of staff, or in the cases of contact sports, a medical doctor is compulsory at the event.

He noted that some federations and associations are not respecting the 10 working days notice set by the NSC.

Mr Rousseau then walked the delegates through the audited accounts reports, before the director for sports management and development within the NSC Terrence Barbé talked about the sports development plan.

Chairman of the Seychelles Swimming Association (SSA) David Vidot also seized the opportunity at the forum to thank everyone who helped the SSA to organise the recently-held Fédération internationale de natation (Fina) marathon swim world series.

He expressed his gratitude on behalf of the SSA and commented on the way Seychelles transformed into a sporting family for the occasion.

Les athlètes s’envolent pour Djibouti ce matin et seront de retour aux Seychelles le 30 avril.

Cinq disciplines sportives ont été retenues pour les Jeux, à savoir l’athlétisme, le football, le handball, le tennis de table et la pétanque. Le théâtre, les danses traditionnelles et l’assemblée des jeunes seront au programme du volet jeunesse.

Lors de la cérémonie d’envoie tenue hier au Centre International des Conférences (ICCS), la Ministre de la Jeunesse, des Sports et de la Culture, Mme Mitcy Larue a souhaité bon vent aux athlètes et officiels qui vont représenter les Seychelles

« Je vous souhaite bonne chance lors de la compétition cette année et je sais que vous donnerez les meilleurs de vous-mêmes. Vous devez aussi garder un haut niveau de discipline tout au long de la compétition. Soyez donc des ambassadeurs de notre pays », a dit Mme Larue.

La cérémonie a été assistée par le président de l’Association seychellois des Jeux Olympiques et du Commonwealth, M. Antonio Gopal ; le secrétaire principal de la jeunesse et des sports, M. Fabian Palmyre ; la chef exécutive du Conseil National des Sports, Mlle Giovanna Rousseau ; le chef exécutif du Conseil National de la Jeunesse, M. Alvin Laurence ; ainsi que d’autres invités et les athlètes.

Les représentants seychellois ont tous reçu un sac de voyage de la part de la Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) et c’est la directrice de ventes, Mme Rose-Marie Hoareau, qui a fait la présentation.

Le porte-drapeau de la délégation seychelloise est Tessy Bristol qui avait remporté la médaille d’or de la course du 200 mètres à Madagascar en 2016.

Sports NATION a saisi l’occasion pour recueillir les impressions de deux entraîneurs des équipes seychelloises de football et de tennis de table.

« Cette équipe a les qualités nécessaires pour accomplir de belles choses lors de la compétition. J’ai confiance en cette équipe », a dit l’entraîneur de l’équipe de football Marc Mathiot.

L’entraîneur de tennis de table Jimmy Vel pense que son équipe peut remporter une médaille.

« Certains joueurs ont déjà participé à des compétitions précédentes, mais à cause des examens et autres obligations, la formation a été réduite. Cependant, je pense les joueurs peuvent remporter une médaille », a dit l’entraîneur Vel.

Nous vous présentons quelques photos prises par notre photographe Louis Toussaint lors de cette cérémonie.

La délégation seychelloise :

La Ministre de la Jeuneuse, des Sports et de la Culture, Mme Mitcy Larue ; le secrétaire principal de la Jeuneuse et des Sports, M. Fabian Palmyre (chef de délégation) ; la chef exécutive du Conseil National des Sports, Mlle Giovanna Rousseau ; le chef exécutif du Conseil National de la Jeunesse, M. Alvin Laurence M. Terrence Barbé (l’adjoint du chef de délégation), Andrick Savy, Francis Labrosse et Theresa Francourt (administration), Gracie Nartey, Joselle Labrosse, Sanjeev Pughazendi (équipe médicale).

Athlétisme: Denzel Adem, Ezra Youngman, Caleb Vadivello, Jean-Pierre Barallon, Dwayne Mellie, Daryl Hibonne, Johannus Lucas, Clint Stravens, Joshua Onezime, Brandon Toule, Arnold Morel, Amelie Charles, Tessy Bristol, Shakira Joubert, Maura Raoul, Elilia Anderson, Shanah Jouaneau, Ishveen Paulin, Anisha Rabat, Angelic Boniface, Kendra Souffe, Rabella Bonne, Shamira Chang-Waye, Sheryl Confiance (athlètes) ; Alexander Rodriguez, Gerish Rachel, Beryl Laramé (entraîneurs) ; Joseph Volcy et Monica Samson (chefs des équipes).

Pétanque : Shane Benoit, Rai Jhugroo, Rachid Lagrenade, Brandon Edmond, Fabio Ernesta (athlètes) ; Joseph Charles (entraîneur) ; Bernard Denis (chef de l’équipe).

Handball (masculin) : Jean-Michel Marie, Herbert Dugasse, Chris Labonte, Nel Charles, Sebastien Toussaint, Marvyn George, Andhrano Belle, Cyrence Anthanase, Rahim Freminot, Rudolf Labonte, Shane Jean, Savio Banane, Jeremy Nourrice, Roddy Barra (joueurs) ; Emmanuel Larue (entraîneur) ; Williana Dubois (chef de l’équipe).

Handball (féminin) : Tanishah Labonte, Daryna Marimba, Stecey Marie, Vanessa Andre, Nellie Alissop, Shyla Joubert, Rebecca Betsy, Itarra Lagrenade, Chenille Mwaura, Teera Esparon, Pearl Mellie, Urma Amblavaney, Chelcy Simeon, Tasha Barbe (joueuses) ; Tony Hortere (entraîneur) ; Thelma Sauzier (entraîneur adjoint) ; Marie-Claire Damoo (chef de l’équipe) ; Curtis Esther, May-Rose Sinon (arbitres).

Tennis de table (masculin) : Parrick Dang Kow, Dylan Lafortune, Mael Youpa, Dylan Siméon, Dorian Banane.

Tennis de table (féminin) : Aurelie Toussaint, Emma Bristol, Fatma Boniface

Entraîneur : Jimmy Vel

Chef de l’équipe: David Low Thion

Football : Stan Esther, Ferderick Michaud, Sam Anette, Julio Marie, Calvin Ah-Kon, Rino Pauline, Ian Bonne, Tariq Cedras, Raj Annacoura, Kelvin Cupidon, Dwain William, Josip Ravigna, Afandi Aboudou, Assad Aboudou, Bertrand Esparon, Denis Cafrine, Archille Esther, Errol Bastienne (joueurs) ; Marc Mathiot (entraîneur) ; Jason Denise (entraîneur adjoint) ; Noris Arrisol (arbitre).

Volet jeunesse : Neddy Port-Louis, Daryl Adolphe, Tyrone Adelaide, Elia Savy, Wahida Gobin (l’assemblée des jeunes) ; Ranya Lucas, Stacey Rose, Gaelle Boniface, Anira Sanguignon, Darius Talma, Ray Morel, Gillio Ellen (théâtre) ; Ishia Valentin, Lara Françoise, Alisun Jean, Kella Bibi, Adrian Cesar, Julio Quatre, Stephen Michel, Devin Malcouzane (danses traditionnelles) et Dalibeth Jolicoeur  (encadreur).

The 10km marathon swimming competition will be held on May 20 at Beau Vallon. In a signed contract with the Fédération Internationale de Natation (Fina), Seychelles will host a series of the competition every year for the four coming years. Seychellois swimmers are therefore being urged to take part.

It was the Minister for Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine, Maurice Loustau-Lalanne who made the announcement in a press conference at the National Sports Council (NCS) boardroom yesterday morning in the presence of members of the press and members of a high level steering committee.

Preparation is well underway and Fina is sending one of its personnel later this month to evaluate the progress made and hold clinics for officials who will be working with the event. Volunteers are being asked to come forward to attend the clinics and to be ready to help during the competition.

Beau Vallon has been chosen as the ideal place for the competition as the weather is expected to be calm during that period of the year and it is the place with more hotels close to the beach. It is also considered as a safe place to swim. Registration fees and other formalities regarding the competition will be announced later.

Seychelles is the first African country chosen by Fina to run a series of such a competition. Swimmers must wear a non-transparent swimwear along with cap and goggles and these equipment should not carry any symbols which may be considered offensive.

Top elite swimmers from many countries worldwide will be in Seychelles for the event and Seychellois swimmers will get the chance to rub shoulders with them. The best male and female Seychellois swimmers will represent Seychelles during the remainder of the series ‒ race three in Setubal, Portugal in June; race four in Balatonfured, Hungary in June, race five in Lac St Jean, Canada in July; race six in Lac Megantic, Canada in August, race seven in Chun’An, China in September, race eight in TPE, Taiwan in September and race nine in Abu Dhabi, UAE in November.

The first race will be held in Doha, Qatar in March.

With Seychelles getting additional visibility via the international press that will be present for the event, Minister Loustau-Lalanne said that on the economic side, the event will surely bear fruit during the four years that Seychelles will be hosting it and the beneficiaries will all be stakeholders in the tourism industry. Apart from the touristic approach, he urged Seychellois swimmers to take part en masse to add flare to the event.

“For us in the tourism industry, it is a good event as it goes well with the Seychelles touristic images and at the same time we want Seychellois swimmers to benefit from a sport that we’ve had a lot of success in and it will also encourage them to practice the sport and stay in good health,” said Minister Loustau-Lalanne.

He also stated that the sports tourism calendar for 2018 will also feature the Eco-Friendly Marathon on Sunday February 25, an international regatta race from May 27 to June 3 and a senior European PGA golf tournament in December.

According to a member of the steering committee David Vidot, who is also the chairman of the Seychelles Swimming Association (SSA), the hosting of the Fina Marathon Swim World Series will amount to R5 million. The government is keen to see the event become a success and it will through the Seychelles Tourism Board inject R2 million in it.

Mr Vidot has also called on partners in the private sector to help raise the rest of the sum.

“We want the event to be a massive event and we want to see many Seychellois come to swim on that day. This will be an encouragement for Seychellois to practice the sport. We also want the event to impact socially on the community as we urge school children to take part in the competition. This will be a lifetime experience,” he said, stating that there will be shorter distances for those who are not capable of swimming long distances.

He noted that the organisers are targeting to have around 200 Seychellois swimmers for the races.

Speaking about the event’s logistics, Mr Vidot said Fina and the local steering committee will be working in close collaboration, adding that the event in Seychelles will be contested under Fina rules and guidelines.

He said that designated and marked areas and sitting facilities will be made available for spectators coming to watch the swimming competition and for the safety of everyone.

The Fina 10km Marathon Swimming World Cup is a series of 10-kilometre open water swimming races held annually since 2007. Prior to 2007, 10km races were held as part of the Fina’s Open Water Grand Prix series; post split, this latter series is now for races over 10 kilometres in length. Points are awarded for each race in the series, with the points being added together for an overall winner. The competition is held in open sea or on lakes.

There were seven marathon swimming series in 2017 and they started in February and ended in October in Hong Kong, China, where despite finishing in seventh position, Simone Ruffini of Italy was the overall winner in the men’s category with 85 points and Arianna Bridi also from Italy was the women’s overall winner with 124 points after coming in first position in the same event in 2h02:12.60. The winner for the men’s race was Rob Muffels from Germany in 1h53:10.40.

The Seychelles high level steering committee is chaired by Vice-President Vincent Meriton and the other members are Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine Minister Maurice Loustau-Lalanne; Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Mitcy Larue; sport principal secretary Fabien Palmyre, National Sports Council (NSC) chief executive Giovanna Rousseau; Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) chief executive Sherin Francis; sports special advisor Jean Larue, SSA chairman David Vidot, Ivan Robert and Maureen Payet.

C’est le Président de la Région Réunion, M. Didier Robert, qui a lancé cette invitation à la Ministre de la Jeunesse, des Sports et de la Culture, Mme Mitcy Larue et à une délégation seychelloise. C’était lors d’une rencontre, samedi dernier, à l’hôtel de Savoy Resort & Spa.

La Ministre Larue était accompagnée de certains membres de son équipe de direction : la secrétaire générale de la culture Mlle Cécile Kalebi ; le conseiller spécial de la culture M. Emmanuel d’Offay ; le secrétaire général de la jeunesse et des sports M. Fabian Palmyre ; le conseiller spécial des sports M. Jean Larue ; la chef exécutive du Conseil National des Sports Mlle Giovanna Rousseau ; et la directrice générale de la coopération internationale Mlle Begitta Jeannevol.

L’Ambassadeur de France aux Seychelles, M. Lionel Majesté-Larrouy était aussi présent.

La Ministre Larue a remercié M. Robert pour la participation active de La Réunion au Festival Kreol des Seychelles et a ajouté qu’elle espère que l’amitié entre les deux îles sœurs continuera encore pour longtemps.

La discussion s’est visée vers la coopération existante avec La Réunion et il a été décidé qu’on doit la rendre encore plus active.

Outre le Festival Liberté Métisse, les coopérations possibles à visées sont :

– Le jumelage d’échange avec les jeunes,

– La participation des jeunes seychellois au programme ERASMUS de l’Océan Indien,

– Une participation plus active des Réunionnais au prochain Festival Kreol avec des plats créoles réunionnais, un débat sur le moutia des Seychelles et la danse maloya de La Réunion,

–      La résidence d’artistes (échanges éducatives Seychellois/Réunionnais), et

–      L’aide pour combattre l’infestation de la moisissure aux archives situées à la Bibliothèque Nationale.

A signaler que cette année, le Festival Liberté Métisse se déroulera du 15 au 17 décembre.

Le festival est un événement culturel majeur et fédérateur pour les Réunionnais. Placé sous le signe de la liberté et de la reconnaissance d’une culture métisse, ce festival culturel aux couleurs créoles valorise les valeurs fondamentales de la Réunion : la tolérance et le métissage culturel. Il célèbre ainsi les racines, l’histoire et le métissage culturel dont l’île est fière.

Au programme de ces quelques jours de festivités sur la plage : concerts, expositions, représentations théâtrales, dégustations culinaires et conférences sur le thème du métissage.

On se souviendra que des élèves du conservatoire des Seychelles (NCPA) avaient participé l’année dernière à la 7ème édition de ce festival culturel.

Six jeunes musiciens de l’école de musique des Seychelles, à la clarinette, Antonia Ah-Kon et David Dogley ; à la trompette, Kurt Eugénie ; à la guitare, Mary Chang Pen Tive ; à la percussion, Georgia Ernesta ; accompagnés de la voix de Louisa Payet, avaient ouvert les festivités. Et la jeune comédienne, Kelly Mathiot, pour son premier one-man show en français, faisait aussi partie de l’aventure.

Ils étaient encadrés par M. Jerry Souris et de quelques parents, pour représenter les Seychelles au niveau régional. Le directeur du conservatoire, M. Pierre Joseph, avait également profité de cette rencontre pour travailler sur différents projets de coopération.

Source : Seychelles NATION

As rightly stated by the Director for NCPA ‘ we frequently have around 45 to 50 candidates, rarely over eighty as is the case is this year and this is mainly due to the number of years we took preparing students for the set exams. We also have more students willing to take exams than previously recorded and we have the first entry of a choir.’

This year’s examiner, Mrs. Caroline DIFFLEY has a vast  experience as an ABRSM examiner for both graded and Diploma exams. She runs her own piano teaching practice in Exeter, Devon/England and is very much engaged in the music life of the county.

Courses taken range from piano, vocals (singing), percussion (drums), flutes (recorders), guitars and violin. Each course is taught by a professional music teacher whose job is to ensure the syllabus and course materials for students are appropriate and are original as are advised by the ABRSM Board.

Head of School of Music, Jerry Souris has this year entered his choir, Bahai Choir to take the Intermediate choral exam and this has set the stage for other local choirs to join in the family of performers and take such exams. Of course each member of the choir receives that same certificate.

Apart from the preparatory tests candidates whose certificates are awarded on the same day, other students will receive their ABRSM certificates in a ceremony to be announced later during the year.