Football-Saint Louis Suns United introduced to fans |20 February 2007
Sports Nation has learned that it was the Sunshine team management who approached its St Louis counterpart to initiate the idea of merging the two teams and it was only after serious discussions that the final decision was made. The idea of the fusion came about after both teams encountered financial and managerial problems last season.
According to ex-Sunshine manager Serge Rouillon, who is now the chairman of the new Saint Louis Suns United team, “it has always been my aim to build a strong team with the good players of the central region. It is sad to see all the buses and pick-ups carry most of the central region players towards east Mahe every night to train. We should build strong teams in the central region so that we can keep those players.”
Saturday’s official launching started with an exhibition match involving past players of the two teams who do not feature in the Saint Louis Suns United line-up. It was an historic encounter as it was the last time local fans had the chance to see a match between the two past rivals.
It was also an opportunity for the fans to see in action former stars like Walter Loveday, Joliff Bibi, Wix Cupidon, Vivian Bothe, Cyril Créa, the Ravinia brothers – Georges and Brian – and the Sanders brothers – Denis and Steve – of Sunshine, Vincent ‘Tolor’ Dorasamy, Alex Labiche, Marc Mathiot, Robert Morel, Paul Khan and Willis ‘Tibo’ Dufresne among others who formed part of the great St Louis team of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Walter Loveday gave Sunshine the lead early in the first half before St Louis defender Claude Barbé doubled it with an own goal. Vivian Bothe added a third goal to give Sunshine a 3-0 half-time lead.
Joel De Commarmond pulled a goal back for St Louis from the penalty spot before Robert Morel converted another penalty to reduce the score to 3-2. Just when St Louis thought they could find the equaliser, Loveday netted his second personal goal to seal the win on a 4-2 score.
During half-time, the junior and senior players of the team as well as the team’s executive members were introduced to the fans.
Serge Rouillon holds the post of chairman and is assisted by Raymond de Souza.
Terrence Tirant is the club’s secretary whilst Justin Mathiot is the treasurer. The ordinary members are Henry Gamatis (senior team manager), Davis Khan (senior team assistant manager), Neil Lasplace (head disciplinary committee), Raymond Low-Fock (logistic manager) and George Khan (liaison officer district administration).
Marc Mathiot is the senior team’s head coach and he will be assisted by Danny Laurette.
For the youth team, the managerial duties fall on Davis Khan and Ralph Charlette as manager and assistant manager respectively. Fernand Gamatis is the head coach while Joel De Commarmond is the assistant coach. The club’s physiotherapists are Emmanuel Basset and Terry Poiret.
According to chairman Rouillon, Saint Louis Suns United will be heading straight into the race for titles this season.
“We have many players who have played together before in the national team and it has not taken the players long to adapt to each other. The players are disciplined, motivated, matured and friendly,” explained Rouillon.
“We (the management) want our players to be happy and we will make sure the team do not break up,” added Rouillon.
The Saint Louis Suns United management would like to thank everyone who helped make the official launching a success.
R. D.