Refurbished pool a jewel in Roche Caïman |09 July 2011

Chinese ambassador to Seychelles Wang Weiguo and principal secretary for youth and sports Denis Rose signed the documents in the presence of Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton, National Sports Council chief executive Alain Volcère, Seychelles Swimming Association chairman Mervin Austin, officials of the China Sports International Company which carried out the project and members of the national swimming team.

The renovation work – a complete overhaul at a cost of around 15 million yuan (almost R26.5 million) – which started in February, included refurbishment of the deck and the filtration system, installation of a touch pad for electronic timing, a scoreboard and all equipment needed for a modern swimming pool. The place has also been secured with fencing to prevent vandalism.

Mr Meriton described the rightly-timed completion and handing over of the project as “a significant step forward in the country’s overall preparation for the forthcoming 8th Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG).”

He said the project represents the dynamic cooperation between the two countries.
“I would like, on behalf of the Seychelles government, to express our sincere gratitude to the government of the People’s Republic of China for funding this project,” he added.

The minister added that he hopes the Olympic-size pool and the smaller one should be a motivational factor in recruiting young talents from all schools across the country, as well as a stepping stone to nurture existing talents into high-performance athletes.

Ambassador Wang said the project is “a significant gesture by the Chinese government to boost the friendship and cooperation that exists between the people of Seychelles and China.”

He added that “19 years after sponsoring and building the swimming pool, China takes pride and is still standing side by side with the Seychellois people in support for the IOIG.”

Ambassador Wang also said the intention of the Chinese government in sponsoring the project is to encourage and to give an ideal and safer environment for the athletes. This, he said, will boost their training style and help them to be more competitive.

He also announced the arrival of 17 Chinese coaches and athletes on Monday to help our local athletes in their final preparation for the IOIG, as well as five engineers to provide technical support during the Games.

As a symbolic gesture, ambassador Wang presented Minister Meriton with a key, indicating the completion of the renovation project.

R. D.