Ninth All-Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria – from July 11 to 23-Cupidon named Team Seychelles’ flag bearer |05 July 2007

Shuttler Cupidon was an automatic choice to be Team Seychelles’ flag bearer as he is the country’s reigning Sportsman of the Year.

Asked how he felt about being chosen to carry Seychelles’ colours into the opening ceremony, Cupidon replied:
"To be chosen as Team Seychelles’ flag-bearer is very flattering and gratifying. I knew it could either be me or Janet (Thélermont, the Sportslady of the Year).  It’s a tremendous honour and I thank all those who have thought of me for this wonderful moment. I’m ready to lead Team Seychelles."

It is worth noting that Cupidon, the first badminton player chosen to carry the Seychelles flag at any big international event, first became an African champion in Algiers in December 2006.

Inside the OMS Hall of El-Biar, Cupidon teamed up with Juliette Ah-Wan to win the mixed doubles gold medal of the African Senior Badminton Championship.

Only last month, the pair successfully defended its mixed doubles title in Mauritius where Cupidon also played a big role in helping Seychelles put an end to South Africa’s seven-year reign as African team champions with a 3-2 final win.

This will be Cupidon’s second consecutive appearance at the quadrennial Games. In Abuja, Nigeria in 2003, he won a bronze medal as a member of the Seychelles team who also comprised Ah-Wan, Shirley Etienne and Nicholas Jumaye.

Asked by Sports Nation in a telephone conversation yesterday what he expects to achieve in Algiers, Cupidon replied:
“Although this is not the African Championship, I expect most of the continent’s top badminton players to be present in Algiers. Like usual, I want to be the champion and every member of the badminton team is looking forward to play hard and reap the rewards of their hard work.”

G. G.