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‘Tiapout’ returns home with newly formed Baya FC |06 January 2018

 

 

After players failed to turn up for competitive matches, the Bel Air football team were forced to withdraw from the 2017 competitive season, but the team have now officially registered to play in the third division league this year under a new name ‒ Baya FC.

This is thanks to Ralph ‘Tiapout’ Jean-Louis.

Perhaps, many could be asking why Jean-Louis has decided to work with Baya FC when he could easily have taken charge of any first division side after knowing success with St Michel and the national team as coach in the past.

The answer is very simple. Jean-Louis grew up in Bel Air and played for their district team with whom he made a name for himself as an attacking midfielder during the regionalisation time before joining Anse Aux Pins and finally St Michel with the re-introduction of club sports in Seychelles in 1993.

As a player, Jean-Louis was known for his scoring and passing abilities and he was also a leader on the pitch with Bel Air, Anse Aux Pins, St Michel and the Seychelles national team, winning the best player of year award in 1995. He also finished as the league’s top scorer in 1995 and 1996.

Speaking about the national team, Jean-Louis has worn the country’s colours many times during a 10-year spell from 1990 to 2000, also winning the bronze medal at the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) in Madagascar in 1990 and in Reunion in 1998. He was the team’s captain in 1998 and also played for the Seychelles team during the 1993 IOIG in Seychelles.

At the 2011 IOIG which Seychelles hosted, he was the team’s coach and he led them to winning the gold medal for the first time with a win in the penalty shootout against Mauritius inside a packed Stad Linite.

Holder of a Confederation of African Football (Caf) coaching A licence since 2014, Jean-Louis brought the St Michel under-19 team to success twice, winning the league in 2001 and 2002 as head coach.

After a spell with St Louis where he finished as league runners-up in 2005, Jean-Louis took on a St Michel head coach, winning the first division league four times (2007, 2008, 2010 and 2015), President’s Cup six times (2007, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2014 and 2015), Airtel Cup five times (2007, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013) and the main Cup competition four times (2007, 2008, 2009 and 2013).

Jean-Louis also led St Michel in a number of international matches in Caf club competitions. His last coaching job was with Praslin side Côte d’Or last year but he threw in the towel midway through the season.

So why has he decided to take the initiative and start a new adventure with Baya FC of Bel Air?

“I originally started playing football in Bel Air, but later moved to Anse Aux Pins and St Michel. Simply to say, Bel Air is where I grew up. After the team closed down, I felt that young males from the district have so much to offer. People in Bel Air have the potential to become great in football. Plus, playing football will keep the youngsters and adults away from negative influences such as drugs and alcohol. With the right mindset, the individuals could become a good team that can become great,” Jean-Louis told Sports NATION.

Due to certain requirements lacking, the Baya FC had a tough time re-opening. However, many people believe that the team have great ability to succeed. This is seen in the statement made by the chairman of the Bel Air Basketball Academy Jeffery Payet, whose main focus is helping the kids stay away from substances and bringing them into sports to create a better future for them.

“Bel Air’s football team didn’t take part in last year’s competition because of the lack of players from the year before, and I believe that re-opening the team this year is a great decision. We have many kids in Bel Air who have the potential to advance in sports. By doing this, the kids will focus more into sports rather than doing other bad things,” stated Mr Payet.

The first training session will be held on Monday January 15 at the Freedom Square at 5pm and coach Jean-Louis is urging all those who want to join the team to be present.

 

Rodney Rose

 

 

 

 

 

 

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