Olympic Solidarity-Cable & Wireless receives IOC’s sports and sustainable development trophy |05 December 2012

The company’s chief executive Charles Hammond accepted the annual trophy from Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (Socga) president Antonio Gopal during a ceremony yesterday afternoon at the Cable & Wireless head office at Providence.

Socga secretary general Alain Alcindor and executive committee members, as well as Cable & Wireless senior officials were present at the ceremony to honour the company for its long partnership and contributions towards Seychelles’ sports.

Before handing over the award, Mr Gopal thanked the company for its substantial contribution towards the well-being and development of sports in the country. He also urged for continuous support whenever possible in that area.

Accepting the award, Mr Hammond described the moment as a humbling experience for Cable & Wireless. He said the company’s commitment is due to the love of sports and its passion about its role in helping the community.

He added that the company is also concerned about the physical fitness of its staff as well as that of the general public.

Mr Hammond also pledged future continuous support at a greater pace. He further promised more future contributions and a lasting partnership with the local sports authorities.

The award was set up in 1985 by the IOC with a different theme each year and the annual award is made available to each National Olympic Committee, which is then responsible for choosing the person to receive it.

Past recipients of the IOC trophy
1994: Socga president Antonio Gopal – International Year of Sports and Olympic Ideals
1995: Former Sports Minister Sylvette Pool – Olympic Movement Unity
1996: Brian Orr of the Seychelles Athletics Federation – Centennial Olympic Games
1997: Robert Auguste of the National Sports Council – Sports For All
1998: Sail Training Scheme – Sports Ethics
1999: John Marie – Sports and Education
2000: Former Seychelles Amateur Boxing Federation chairman Simon Lespoir – Sports and Universality
2001: Alain Alcindor of the Seychelles Yachting Association – Sports and Volunteer
2002: Sports doctor Kenneth Sherwin – Sports and Wellbeing
2003: State Assurance Corporation of Seychelles – Sporting Excellence
2004: Sports journalist Gerard Govinden – Sports and Media
2005: Seychelles Football Federation – Sports and Fair Play
2006: James Barreau – Sports and the Community
2007: Ministry of Education – Sport and Promotion of Olympism
2008: Doreen Mirabeau – Sport and Youth
2009: Seychelles National Anti-Doping Commission (SNADC) chairman Jean Larue – Sports and the fight against doping
2010: Boxing coach Jerry Legras – Inspiring young people.
2011: Vijay Patel – Sport and social responsibilities

R. D.