‘Many chances for our talents’ |18 September 2008

Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (Socga) president Antonio Gopal said this in an interview to Sports Nation recently.

“We have the talents and we are being given help to further develop the raw talents so they become the jewels of Seychelles sports in the future,” said Mr Gopal.

One of the 12 local athletes who represented Seychelles in the 1980 Moscow Olympics – the country’s first appearance at the four-yearly games – he said that between now and 2012, Seychellois athletes have a number of competitions to look forward to.

These include the Commonwealth Youth Games (in Pune, India from October 12-18), the CJSOI Games in Reunion (in 2010), the Commonwealth Games (in Delhi, India, from October 3-14, 2010), the Eighth Indian Ocean Island Games (in Seychelles in 2011), the Tenth All-Africa Games (in Zambia in 2011) and the Olympic Games (in London, England, from July 27-August 12, 2012).

Mr Gopal said Delhi has granted Socga US $100,000 (worth R850,000) to be used in preparing Seychellois athletes for the Commonwealth Games 2010.

He added that local sports federations and associations will have to submit names of athletes who they feel should benefit from the help.

As some talented athletes did not receive any help in the past because their federations or associations failed to submit their names, it is very likely that Socga will make a selection based on their recent performances in local and international competitions.

According to Mr Gopal, another £25,000 (worth R375,000) has been made available to Socga to prepare athletes for the London 2012 Olympic Games.

Mr Gopal said organisers of the London Olympics met representatives of National Olympic Committees (Noc) in Beijing, China, during the XXIX Olympiad to discuss how the help will be provided.

Compared to the usual aid given to Nocs to finance preparation of their athletes, London will manage the £25,000 for pre-games training camps that will be held in the UK from July 1, 2011 through to Games-time in 2012.

Nocs only have to send their athletes to train in England and their training and accommodation expenses will be deducted from the overall sum.

The £25,000 award was a London bid commitment designed to encourage teams from across the world to use the many excellent facilities and venues throughout the United Kingdom for their preparations leading up to the Games.

Mr Gopal added that Socga has decided to send Seychellois athletes to train in Kent (south-east England) because of its slightly warmer climate than some other parts of the country.

“Seychellois athletes are talented. It is time therefore that those talents are tapped to bring the country success. Athletes should also make the most of the opportunities they receive. The only way for them to achieve success is through hard work. They must train seriously every day to make their way up the ladder,” concluded Mr Gopal.

G. G.