8th Indian Ocean Island Games – August 5-14-Games’ torch reaches Roche Caïman |01 August 2011

When it reached the Roche Caïman court at 7.50pm on Saturday after it had journeyed through the districts of Anse Aux Pins, Pointe Larue and Cascade for the whole day, the Games’ torch came to its final destination since starting its tour on Saturday June 18 – the day it arrived here from Madagascar.

Many activities were organised in the districts the torch visited on the final leg of its journey and the Cascade primary school Care (Campaign for Awareness, Resilience and Education against substance abuse) club took the opportunity to hand over a R1,500 contribution on behalf of all Care clubs of Seychelles to Cascade district administrator Fred Barrat, who will then give it to the fundraising committee.

Among the many activities on the programme in all four districts were a mass celebration, football, volleyball, musical and dance performances.

Like in other districts where it visited in the early stages of its journey, the torch was carried by a large number of people including some sportsmen and women who have taken part in past Indian Ocean Island Games.

In Anse Aux Pins, Anniessa Benstrong (bronze medallist in Madagascar in 2007), Suzie Sarakiya, MacDonald Thomas, Louisa Furneau, Regina Furneau, Mahamed Barreau, Christy Bristol;, Steven André, Natasha Léon, Agnella, Tony Hortère, Daphne Laporte, Bernard St Ange, Neddy Rose, Stevio Legaie, Noa Gabriel, Marie-Claude Rose (gold medallist in Mauritius in 2003 and silver medallist in Madagascar in 2007), Joel Barbé, Bernard Bristol, Maria Barbé,  Marie-Annette Vidot, Bernard Denis and Dr Manoo were the torchbearers.

Meggy Gertrude, Jean-Paul Mellie, Margaret Chang-Time, Darius Quatre, Jemmy Rachel, Robin Sinon, Damien Chang-Time, Valerie Gabriel, Tony Camille, Percy Riaze, Andrew Bristol, Alvis Adela, Janice Mellie, Joe-Brian Chrysostome, Vincent William, ex-volleyballer Barry César (bronze medallist in Madagascar in 1990), Michel Camille and Beth Gertrude carried the torch in the Pointe Larue district.

Former badminton player Guilmer William (mixed doubles bronze medallist in Seychelles in 1993) carried the torch on the Seychelles international compound before Maya Biong and Norris Ladouce began the relay in Cascade.

Catherina Paulin (team and women’s doubles silver medallist in Mauritius in 2003), Dan Côme, former badminton player Joana Didon (mixed doubles bronze medallist in Seychelles in 1993, team silver medallist in Reunion in 1998), volleyballer Anne Delcy (gold medallist in Reunion in 1998 and in Mauritius in 2003), Keven Mirabeau, Berina Ladouce, former middle distance runner Selwyn Bonne (silver medallists in 800 and bronze medallist in 1,500m in Reunion in 1998) and ex-athlete Max Racombo were the other torchbearers in Cascade.

Jerry Laboudallon, Amina Sarah, Vesna César, Franky Larue, Rudd Michel, Vicky Delpeche, Jeannette Melanie, Ginette Joubert, Marie-Claire Gertrude, Yury Rose, Anne Barbé, Carol Dubel, Robert Suzette, Sultane Robert, Cliff Françoise, Arantta Alcindor, Renatta Michel, Aubrey Dufresne, Simon Lespoir, Sarah Horace, Hendrick Denis, Jean-Paul Cadeau, G. Boniface, Lisa Robert, Marsha Radegonde, Hansel Larue, Samia Adeline, Audrey Sanders, Terence Kilindo, special athletes Kenny Ah-kon and Serapiona Nibourette took turn to carry the torch in Roche Caïman.

The following are some of the photos taken by photographer Louis Toussaint as the Games’ torch relayed through Anse Aux Pins, Pointe Larue, Cascade and Roche Caïman.