Ninth All-Africa Games in Algiers, Algeria-Athletes' hope high |13 July 2007

The fact that they are living far apart and in four different groups, thus making it difficult for them to stay in contact, most of the athletes only met their peers outside the 'Stade 5 juillet' ahead of the colourful opening ceremony .

It was time for them to discuss the conditions they live in at the different villages.

"The level of security is very high and we are not allowed to leave the building without the knowledge of the security officers. Whenever we go for training or buy something, we are escorted. Otherwise, we stay inside the village," said a local female volleyballer.

The athletes also complained of the quality of the food they are served, the small sizes of some of the beds and the fact that there are no showers within the buildings they live in and have to walk to another building where there is a common bathroom.

Despite all these problems being encountered by athletes of other delegations alike, Seychellois athletes are doing their best to stay focus on what they have to do.

Laser sailor Allan Julie has his eyes set on winning the Laser standard gold medal.

"I'm here (in Algiers) to win the gold medal. Hopefully I can go all the way and achieve my goal," said Julie.

As for female table tennis player Anissa Benstrong, she said that "winning a gold medal is going to be a tall order, but I'm going to do my best to win a medal."

Volleyballer Jones Mangroo believes that the men's team can make the semifinals provided the players play hard and remain focus.

"We have to play well, stay focus and heed the coaches' advice. We have a good chance of making the semifinals," he said.

The men's team play in pool A alongside Congo Brazaville, South Africa, hosts Algeria, Ghana and Kenya. Tunisia, Senegal, Egypt, Cameroon, Botswana and Nigeria make up pool B.

As for the women's team, they have been drawn in pool A along with hosts Algeria, South Africa, Congo-Brazaville, Ethiopia and Ghana. Women's pool B is made up of Kenya, Tunisia, Cameroon, Egypt, Nigeria and Senegal.
It is worth noting that he Seychelles men's and women's teams finished third in their groups in the last two editions of the All-Africa Games in Johannesburg, South Africa in 1999 and in Abuja, Nigeria in 2003.

By Gerard Govinden in Algiers