De Commarmond calls on football patron President Michel |27 July 2012

He was speaking to the local media after calling on President Michel at State House yesterday morning. He was accompanied by SFF secretary general Jemmy Adela.

Mr De Commarmond added that as chairman he plans to do all he can to ensure Seychelles football stays up to par.

“I have told the President what my plans are. The SFF is working with the Seychelles Tourism Board to host the Confederation of African Football (Caf) conference and by doing so we are also promoting tourism here,” said Mr De Commarmond.

The Caf annual meetings of the standing committees and the executive committee as well as the extraordinary general assembly are slated here from August 26 to September 5, 2012.

Mr De Commarmond also said a special gala is in the works for December when former players will be honoured.

Regarding the latest scandal involving several first division teams fielding illegal players in the ongoing Airtel Cup, Mr De Commarmond said the teams have been issued with letters addressing the issue and have been notified that the arbitration panel will soon rule on the matter.

Answering a question about whether Gavin Jeanne will stay on as national team coach, chairman De Commarmond said no changes will be made for now.

“Coach Jeanne will continue to coach the national team until at least the end of the year,” he said.

Mr De Commarmond became the SFF chairman when he was elected into the post during the federation’s annual general meeting on Saturday February 25 at the Maison Football, Roche Caïman.

He replaced Suketu Patel who had resigned after serving just one year of his four-year mandate.

He won the election against his only opponent Roch Henriette who is also the SFF vice-chairman, receiving 13 out of the total 24 votes, compared to 11 for Mr Henriette.

Mr De Commarmond was the third chairman to be elected after Suketu Patel (1980-1991 – 1994-2011) and Finley Racombo (1991-1994).

R. B.