Seychelles National Olympic Committee's silver jubilee-Award presentation ceremony highlights gala evening |14 February 2005

The highlight of the evening was an award presentation ceremony during which individuals, sports associations and federations as well as the media received awards of recognition for their outstanding contributions towards the fostering of the Olympic ideals and the development of sports in Seychelles.

Friday's ceremony was graced by Designated Minister Danny Faure and Minister for Local Government, Sports and Culture, Sylvette Pool.

Also present were Snoc president Antonio Gopal, president of the Mauritius National Olympic Committee Chintanam Rambocus, president of the Comité Régional Olympique Sportif de la Réunion (Cros) Jannick Moreau, representatives of sports associations and federations, Olympians and other guests.

In her address, Minister Pool, on behalf of the Seychelles Government and her ministry, conveyed warm congratulations to Snoc on the occasion.

She added that 25 years ago Seychelles joined the world's most prestigious sports body, the International  Olympic Committee, which marked the beginning of an exciting chapter in our sports history and the image of Seychelles sports in the international arena.

She then commended Snoc for having proudly represented Seychelles in the large family  of the Olympic movement and for what it has done over the years to promote sports in our country.

"Committed to its mission, Snoc, through its various programmes, has promoted and sensitised the population of the ideals and values of Olympism, such as tolerance, fair play, solidarity, excellence and international understandings," she said.

Minister Pool then cited different examples whereby Snoc has made remarkable contributions in Seychelles sports, such as in the development of high performance in sports, training of athletes and sports administrators (officials and coaches), securing scholarships for young athletes who have excelled in their respective sports and the financing of various projects including the talent identification programme, the Women in Sports Programme and Sports For All activities.

She noted that the working relationship between her ministry, Snoc, the National Sports Council (NSC), federations/associations and other agencies is exemplary.

"Through this excellent partnership, we continue to strive for the development and progress of Seychelles sports both locally and internationally ... Let the true spirit of Olympism crown the success of sports in our country," concluded Minister Pool.

For his part, Snoc president Gopal said that since the Olympic Games in Moscow in 1980, Snoc has grown from strength to strength.

"This is due to our wonderful partners. We are glad to say that the Olympic committee is achieving its objectives by working closely with sports federations and associations, the Ministry of Local Government, Sports and Culture, the Ministry of Education and Youth and the National Sports Council," said Gopal.

He continued by saying that Snoc was glad Messrs Rambocus and Moreau joined in the silver jubilee celebrations before sending out words of appreciation to everyone who made the evening a success.

As for athlete Joanna Hoareau, who spoke on behalf of all 47 Seychellois Olympians, she said that the "opportunity for an athlete to participate in an Olympic Games either through qualification, wild card or invitation, is like winning a gold medal in the most prestigious international multi-sports competition."

She added that as Olympians they have a lot of responsibilities.
"Having probably achieved the best we can dream of as athletes, we Olympians need to groom our successors in becoming successful Olympians too and guide them to give back to society like we are doing right now," said Hoareau, who also urged fellow athletes to abide to the Olympic Code of Honour to never cheat no matter how difficult  and challenging the circumstances and to participate in an honourable manner.

The awards went to the Ministry of Local Government, Sports and Culture, the Ministry of Education and Youth, Nation Publishing Services and the Seychelles Broadcasting Corporation, the Seychelles Olympian Association and all 22 federations and associations who are members of Snoc.

Friday's thrilling ceremony saw different performances by the Children's Choir, the School of Dance, female artist Maggie who lightened the hearts of all those present with the song 'Life', male singer Selwyn Hoareau who performed Michael Jackson's "Heal the World", Jany de Létourdie, and well-known singer and comedian Joseph 'Pa Tous Tous' Sinon who made another humorous act with his new "Foukaye" fighting style.

C. J.