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Archive - Archive 2004 - July 2013

NSC’s forum- Sports federations and associations address common issues |14 March 2013

NSC’s forum- Sports federations and associations address common issues

The meeting in progress     (photo G. G.)


The first of four forums took place at the Maison Football auditorium and was attended by representatives of most sports, except football, karting, swimming, badminton, canoeing to name just a few.
NSC chief executive Alain Volcère told Sports Nation the forum, the first of its kind, has been very fruitful as representatives of sports federations and associations have been able to voice out their concerns.

“It has been a very good experience with some very good debates on issues that touch all local sports federations and associations,” said Mr Volcère.
“It was an opportunity for the NSC to take stock of the concerns the sports federations and associations have in trying to deliver a better job in developing sports in Seychelles.

“From this first meeting, we have noted that although the government injects quite a large sum into sports development, financing remains a big concern and the NSC will in the near future invite potential sponsors to meet representatives of federations and associations. This way, the two parties can exchange ideas about how best they can work in partnership.

“Sports federations and associations have to come well prepared to convince the sponsors and show them what they can get in return for sponsoring their sports,” noted Mr Volcère.
He added that the second forum is slated for June, the third in September and fourth in December.

Cindy Souffe of the customs division within the Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC) talked about the customs procedures in place to clear sporting equipment from the port and airport.
She added that the customs division already has a list provided by the National Sports Council (NSC) of all the equipment, spare parts and other items that fall under the exempted goods.

Those present called on the NSC to add cars, buses and bicycles to the list. This is because an athlete might win a car as a prize in an international competition and as it is right now, he/she must pay all the taxes at the port.

Ms Souffe’s colleague Mona Mussard explained the mechanisms of the rebate formula under the new corporate social responsibility scheme and explained that all donations should go through the Liaison Unit of Non-governmental Organisations (Lungos) which vet all the documents before sending a written document to the Ministry of Finance, Trade and Investment.

NSC’s director for sports management and development Robert Auguste insisted on sports federations and associations sending reports to his unit after attending international competitions.
He also noted that a federation has to make a request to host an international competition at least six months prior to the date, giving the NSC enough time to work on the logistics.

Loss of earnings for locally based players who are employed and self-employed, for Seychellois professionals, financial help like monthly allowance for coaches, travel insurance were some of the issues Mr Auguste explained.

Mr Auguste said all members of national selection are insured by the NSC and this is subject to medical tests carried out at least once a year.
He noted that all injuries sustained by athletes should be reported to the NSC within 72 hours.

Giovanna Rousseau, the head of the marketing and promotion unit gave those present some tips about how to go about looking for sponsorship. She noted that the main difference between donation and sponsorship is the donors don’t expect anything in return when they make a donation, but sponsors expect something in return from the contributions.

Fund-raising activities, membership fees, gate receipts, lotteries, sponsored walks are just some of the ways the sports bodies can raise funds.
Medgée Bijoux of the human resources and budget management section gave a detailed explanation of how requests for transport should be done.

Bernard Denis, the sports training and capacity building director, talked at length about the three training programmes – National Coaches Accreditation Programme, Advanced Sports Management Course, and Sports Medical Assistant Course – run by his section.

Those present wanted to know if the certificates given out to graduates under the three programmes are recognised by the Seychelles Qualifications Authority (SQA). Mr Denis said the NSC has for some time asked the SQA to validate the courses, but is yet to receive the green light.

Mr Denis noted that technical seminars under the three different themes – planning and training, coach as a resource manager, and testing athletes – will be introduced soon.

G. G.

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