Football: Inaugural Seychelles Schools’ FA CUP |11 March 2023

The winning boys' team, Pointe Larue, wearing the colours of Everton FC (Photo: Contributed)

Pointe Larue kitted in Everton FC colours take home trophies

Seychelles’ largest ever schools football competition took place yesterday at Stade Linite and Stade Popiler. The third season of the popular Seychelles Schools’ Premier League kicked off with a one-day ‘FA Cup’ tournament with 312 players from 28 teams taking part in a unique knockout tournament.

The Seychelles Schools’ Premier League has been delivered through a partnership between the British High Commission, the Seychelles Football Federation and the Ministry of Education. Boys’ and girls’ teams from every secondary school in the country are kitted out with full kits for the English Premier League (EPL) team they represent. The twinning of schools and EPL teams took place at a ceremonial draw in November 2021, conducted by President Wavel Ramkalawan and British High Commissioner Patrick Lynch.

On the eve of the launch of the third season of this successful project, this additional tournament was held to mirror the FA Cup competition, the oldest football competition in the world. After an intensive day of matches, the trophies were won by both the girls’ team and boys’ team from Pointe Larue, representing Everton FC.

The trophies were handed over to the team captains by British High Commissioner Patrick Lynch. Commenting on the ongoing success of this project, and the new champions of both competitions, High Commissioner Lynch said:

“A love of the English Premier League, and the teams within it, is one of the many things that reflect the deep bonds, shared values and shared history of the United Kingdom (UK) and Seychelles. For many, it is the most important, depending on how their team is performing!

The Seychelles Schools’ Premier League was launched during the challenging days of the Covid-19 pandemic when we all needed a boost. The response has been incredible, and as a result, the project has gone from strength to strength as we start our third season. We see hundreds of children dedicated to their teams, turning up for training, playing weekly matches and making positive lifestyle choices which steer them away from more destructive options. At the heart of this is the schools and, especially, the coaches who have shown dedication and a great deal of professionalism in how they have led the teams.

“As every fan knows, football is more than just a game. It is about valuing teamwork and community. Everyone involved in the Seychelles Schools’ Premier League, and now this new cup competition, has shown that in abundance. The British high commission, of course, remains neutral on our favourite English Premier League team but would like the people of Seychelles to know that “you’ll never walk alone”!

Contributed