Launching of Olympic clubs by Snoc and NOAS-Olympic clubs go to Praslin and La Digue |21 March 2005

Speaking at Friday afternoon's ceremony at the Grand Anse Praslin Secondary School, Snoc president Antonio Gopal said that through Olympic clubs, students will gain insight, acquire knowledge and develop skills by learning about Olympism as well as practise sports and cultural activities.

"Through these activities they (students) will learn how to contribute towards building a better and more peaceful world since Olympism, which include the promotion of education, sports and culture, is a vehicle that contributes to fairness, friendship, harmony  bringing about peace and unity in the world," said Mr Gopal, who added that through Olympic clubs young people will have the opportunity to develop more fully as they will be going through a process of learning to develop both their intellect and their physical abilities.

He noted that learning about Olympism will also help to shape the character of the children, turning them into better and fruitful citizens.

Snoc president Gopal then thanked all Snoc partners – the Ministry of Education and Youth, the Grand Anse Praslin Secondary School, headteachers, facilitators who have volunteered to work with the students, the Commonwealth Games Association of Canada for its contribution, the steering committee which prepared the handbook to be used by club members – for their hard work.

Monica Hoareau, regional cordinator for schools in the Ministry of Education and Youth, commended Snoc and the National Olympic Academy of Seychelles (NOAS) for their initiative.

"Educating our youths on the ideals and principles of Olympism is a sure way of inculcating in them good practises and values, hence a sense of direction and purpose in life," said Mrs Hoareau, who urged the students to be bold enough to live by the good values they are to acquire.

"Let these values penetrate deep into your soul. Share them with whoever you come in contact with and be true role models of Olympic ideals," she said.
As for Grand Anse Praslin Secondary School headteacher Michael Antoine, he said that the relationship between sports and education possesses stimulating opportunities for the total development and profound educational growth of our students.

"Certainly, Olympics which surpasses sports, embodies the fundamental values that we are striving to inspire in our students," he said, adding that the Olympic handbooks will surely help to provide an Olympic education based on the spirit of Olympism, combining  sports and games with other subjects.

Mr Antoine concluded by making a special appeal to all stakeholders, especially facilitators and students, "to embrace and implement the exalted ideals of the Olympic programme with determination."

After the speeches, representatives of Grand Anse, Baie Ste Anne and La Digue schools received a copy each of the facilitator’s handbook and the commemorative book depicting Snoc's 25 years of existence and published in February to celebrate the local Olympic body's silver jubilee.

Dina Ladouceur of the La Digue Secondary School took the Olympic Club oath on behalf of the participants, while the Grand Anse Praslin Secondary School choir performed the ever popular song Annou  ofer kanmarad lanmitye .

It is to note that Olympic clubs are run as part of extra-curricular activities.

C. J.