Football youth academy launched |02 September 2013

Seychelles football is once again turning to the youths in order to produce big stars to replace local legends like Philip Zialor, Nelson Sopha and Don Anacoura in the future.

With the Airtel Rising Stars programme proving a success thus far, on Saturday, the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) marked a new chapter in its development of young talents.

The Seychelles Youth Academy was launched in a small ceremony at Stad Linite, and was attended by the players from different academies scattered throughout the country, as well as sponsors and SFF officials.

SFF’s technical director Ulrich Mathiot said in his address that the launch of this academy comes after coaches attended a one-week training, and it is hoped that they can transmit their knowledge to these children. He also wished all the teams present luck ahead of the youth tournament that was held to mark the occasion.

SFF chairman Elvis Chetty, on his part, thanked the various partners and sponsors who have been working with the federation to realise this project and also asked the children to train hard, fight and do their best for their coaches.

The launch of the academy also coincided with the Youth Festival and shows the influence of sports in disciplining and bringing up young people. The academy brings renewed hopes for the future as it is through it that new talents will emerge and take the place of those who have been playing the game.

Youth teams and officials during the launch of the academy