Praslin and La Digue Sports Recognition Award |01 February 2017

Athletes from Praslin and La Digue were recognised for their devotion and hard work in a ceremony organised by the JJ Spirit Foundation last weekend.

The ceremony, which took place at the Pension Fund Complex at Grand Anse Praslin, was attended by  the principal secretary for youth and sports Fabien Palmyre; the chief executive of the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) Alvin Laurence; the chairman of the board of the National Sports Council (NSC) Jean Larue; the Minister for Internal Affairs Mitcy Larue, a Praslinois herself; JJ Spirit Foundation representatives; members of the National Assembly and district administrators; athletes from the two islands; their families and sponsors.

With Judo being the Praslinois’ strong suit, it was no surprise when Brigitte Rose and Nantenaina Finesse went home with the awards for overall best international level athletes and their coach Calix Cesar the best coach for 2016. Rose, the 2016 curtain raiser champion who competes in the 78kg category, is ranked the 5th best judoka in Africa as well as 54th globally and has been practicing this sport for over 26 years.

During this ceremony, Rose announced that she has decided to end her judo career and rather concentrate in other disciplines.

Finesse, also the 2016 Curtain Raiser champion, is holder of the bronze medal from the African Championship in Tunisia, Silver medal in a Championship held in Rodrigues as well as the second best Junior athlete on the national level.

Volleyballer Angelique Adeline and Benoit Marie of Division one football league champions Côte d’Or scooped the award for best national level athletes. Marie who still plays for the team where his football career all started, was the scorer of one of the best goals for the 2016 season and Adeline remains one of Praslin’s shining stars in volleyball at national level.

The best young athletes awards went to Judoka Julia Ernesta, silver medallist at the CJSOI, curtain raiser champion, silver medallist in the recent championship held in Rodrigues and the best junior judoka on the national level, while for the boys the winner was high jump specialist Kalvin Stravens. Stravens was also the bearer of two other awards from that evening and the first Seychellois male gold medallist in high jump at the CJSOI games, which was held in Madagascar, where he cleared a height of 1.95m.

Officials, coaches and sports promoters were also remembered in the ceremony. The best female team went to Praslin Girls Volleyball team while Côte d’Or won the best male team after being crowned the Division one Champions for the second time.

The best primary school award went to Baie Ste Anne and best secondary school was Praslin secondary after their dominance at the inter school  volleyball, basketball, netball and handball competitions. Sherlynn Grimace and Romeo Thelemaque received the best student awards for primary school students, while Claudia Marie and Kalvin Stravens where the best secondary school athletes. Special awards were also granted to Heidi Gabriel, Churchill Rose, Cheryl Marie and Teejay Athanase for their effort in their respective disciplines.

Among the highlights of the evening were entertaining hoops and choreography dance presentations by pupils from the Baie Ste Anne primary school.

Best athletes from other sports practiced by these two islands were also rewarded as follows:

Boxing: Adrian Volcère

Windsurfing: Jean-Marc Gardette

Netball: Shanty Rose

Domino: Alexandre Dugasse

Basketball: Andre Athanase

Athletics (Female Junior): Nira Nourrice

Athletics (Male Junior): Kalvin Stravens

Athletics (Male Senior): Greth Estico

Judo (Female Junior): Julia Ernesta

Judo (Male Junior): Nantenaina Finesse

Judo (Female Senior): Brigitte Rose

Judo (Male Senior): Dominic Dugasse

Football (Youth): Ian Vel

Football (1st Division): Benoit Marie

Football (Inner Island): Andrew Maria

Swimming: Isabella Labuschagne

Volleyball (Female 1st Division): Angelique Adeline

Volleyball (Female 2nd Division): Helen Rose

Volleyball (Male 1st Division): Alvin Chrysostome

Contributed