XVIII Commonwealth Games-Local badminton players, swimmers and weightlifters in action today |16 March 2006

The country’s badminton team, comprising Juliette Ah-Wan, Cynthia Course, Georgie Cupidon and Steve Malcouzane, play today against England in their first match of the team event inside the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.
 
Drawn in pool D, Seychelles’ other two matches are against India tomorrow and Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.

Pool A comprises Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Northern Ireland and Fiji, pool B is made up of New Zealand, Australia, Jamaica, Kenya and Uganda, while Singapore, Canada, South Africa, Mauritius and Jersey play in pool C.

Inside the Melbourne Sports and Aquatics Centre, three local swimmers will participate in the heats of their respective events with the hope of making the finals.

Former Sportslady of the Year Shrone Austin, who trains and studies in South Africa and only arrived in Melbourne on Tuesday together with France-based long jumper Céline Laporte, will compete in the 200m freestyle.

Bertrand Bristol will swim in the 200m butterfly and Steven Mangroo will compete in the 400m freestyle.

Weightlifting is taking place at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre and Julie Matatiken will be in action in the 48-kg division.

The Games were officially opened yesterday and over 80,000 people filled the Melbourne Cricket Ground to watch the official opening ceremony.

Dignitaries including Queen Elizabeth II accompanied by Prince Philip, Australian Prime Minister John Howard and Prince Edward attended the event.

The ceremony included theatrical, singing and dancing performances. This was followed by the march of the athletes from the 71 Commonwealth nations into the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Flag-bearer Lindy Leveau-Agricole, the country’s female javelin specialist and reigning Sportslady of the Year, led Team Seychelles inside the venue.

It must be noted that Team Seychelles, who left for the Land Down Under on Sunday March 5, were officially welcomed in the Games Village on Tuesday.

Present at the ceremony were mayor of the Moonee Valley City Council, Jan Chantry, deputy mayor Vince Andracciola, deputy mayor of the Games Village Peter Haddad, the president of the Seychelles National Olympic Committee Antonio Gopal, chef de mission Simon Lespoir, the 22 athletes on the Seychelles team and the officials.

Some Seychellois leaving in Melbourne also attended the ceremony.

During the same ceremony, three other countries – Nauru, Turks and Caicos Island and Montserrat – were also welcomed in the Games Village.

G. G.