2015 Commonwealth Youth Games - Volcère loses, Bonne in action today |08 September 2015

While all eyes are on the prestigious All-Africa Games, Seychelles has four young athletes competing at the 2015 Youth Commonwealth Games in Samoa.

Two boxers – Edrian Volcère and Lorenzo Bonne – along with two swimmers – Felicity Passon and Dean Hoffman – are the athletes representing Seychelles at these games.

Yesterday, Edrian Volcère was eliminated in the preliminary round of the 64kg category after losing out on a 0-3 score against Northern Ireland’s Aidan Walsh.

Today, it is Lorenzo Bonne who will be in action in the 69kg quarterfinals where he will face Cayman Island’s Hopkin Ebanks.

As for our swimmers, Hoffman will compete in the A and B finals of the 100m backstroke final, while Felicity has qualified for the 100m backstroke final and 50m butterfly final which will take place later during the competition.

The host nation, Samoa, which means Sacred (Sa') Centre (Moa) of the universe, is a small, tropical island nation in the Central Pacific with a young population of 187,000, over half of whom are 25 and under. The chairman of the Samoa 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games, Tuilaepa Lupesoliai Sailele Malielegaoi, is also the nation's Prime Minister.

Launched in 2000 and now taking place for the fifth time, the Youth Games are a sustainable opportunity for smaller cities and nations to benefit from hosting a major sporting event, using predominantly pre-existing venues (in Samoa's case constructed for the 2007 Pacific Games) while also promoting an inclusive and positive youth agenda.

With 50% of Commonwealth citizens aged 25 and under, the Youth Games play a vital part in the Commonwealth Games Federation's vision to inspire Commonwealth athletes to drive the ambition and power of all Commonwealth citizens through sport.

S. N.