40th annual Inter-School Athletics Championships- Anse Royale retains secondary title |20 June 2016

• La Digue, STA new champions

Anse Royale has retained the secondary school title for another year, while La Digue was victorious among primary schools, and the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) claimed the post-secondary title at the 40th annual Inter-School Athletics Championship on Saturday.

The rendezvous was once again at Stad Linite and for the second time the competition was held on June 18 — Constitution Day — which marked the 23rd anniversary of the adoption of our new Constitution which ushered in our Third Republic.

As usual, all the athletes were pumped up as they sought to give their best for their respective schools.

The weather was almost perfect for the day, not too hot and partly cloudy, meaning the athletes could really give their all and achieve some good performances.

The notable absentee at this year’s championship though was the Minister for Education, Macsuzy Mondon, who could not attend due to medical reasons. Therefore, it was the Minister for Social Affairs, Community Development and Sports Vincent Meriton, who delivered the traditional address to the athletes.

In his speech, the minister said: “This championship is more than just a stage for athletes to test their abilities. It is where youth brings to life our greatest values in tough and competitive sporting environment.”

He highlighted respect, excellence, discipline, humility, determination and others among the values that are on display on the day.

The minister also spoke of the role which sports play in the development of our youths and praised the hard work being done by the physical education teachers at the various schools and for their dedication to educating these athletes through sports.

“This year marks 40 years since the championship has been taking place and this 40th championship permits hundreds of youths to compete in the spirit of patriotism, respect and fair play,” he added.

Minister Meriton also had special praise for five volunteers who have always been present to lend a helping hand during the championship over the past 40 years and they are Estella Bau, Norbert Dogley, Louis Mambé, Thomas Dodin and Jeris César.

President James Michel attended the competition along with Vice-President Danny Faure, ministers, members of the National Assembly, members of the diplomatic corps, high government officials as well as parents and school children who had come down to support their schoolmates.

President Michel handed out the fair play cups which were won by Anse Royale primary (competitors and spectators), Anse Royale secondary (competitors and spectators), School of Advanced Level Studies (post-secondary competitors) and Seychelles Institute of Teacher Education (post-secondary spectators).

The athletes challenged each other in 96 events in their bid to help their schools win the top prizes in three overall categories — primary, secondary and post-secondary.

Overall category winners

After losing out to Anse Boileau primary last year, La Digue came back stronger this time, finishing with a total of 149 points to pick up the best primary school trophy. Anse Royale primary was second with a total of 131 points, while Grand Anse Praslin was third with 83 points.

Meanwhile, it was a disappointing outing for last year’s winner Anse Boileau who did not take home any cup this time around.

On the other hand, it was a great result for La Digue whose students were visibly ecstatic at the win.

“I am happy to have won as I trained every day,” said one student, while another said she was very pleased with her performances and also that her school won a number of cups.

In all, La Digue won six titles — the girls’ under 8, boys’ under 8, girls’ under 14, best small school, most gold medals for primary schools (9 in total) and the primary overall title.

For the secondary schools, it seems there is no stopping Anse Royale as it romped to a fourth successive title. Led by its girls’ team, Anse Royale finished with a total of 333 points, well ahead of second-placed Praslin who had a total of 248 points, while La Digue was third with 199 points.

Anse Royale won eight titles on the day and these include the President’s Cups for fair play for both competitors and spectators, most gold medals for secondary schools (17 in total), the health promotion award for secondary schools as well as the girls’ under 16, boys’ under 16 and girls’ under 18 categories as well as the overall title.

“We are very happy and we are thankful to Sir Jeris (Rachel) for all he has done for us and he is the reason we have won again today,” said the Anse Royale students.

Meanwhile, for the post-secondary schools, it is the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) who was victorious, finishing with a total of 92 points, ahead of the School for Business Studies and Accounting (SBSA) with 87 points and Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT) with 82 points.

STA won the girls’ open category with 71 points along with the overall title.

“We are very happy, we knew we would win because we came here with the aim of winning and we did,” said an STA athlete.