Sports Awards of the Year 2007-Ah-Wan, Cupidon scoop top awards |28 January 2008

Ah-Wan and Cupidon, who form the Seychelles illustrious mixed doubles pair - winner of the gold medals at the Senior African Championships in Mauritius and the Ninth All-Africa Games in Algeria in 2007 – fended off stiff opposition to receive the huge floating cups from guest of honour, President James Michel, during the Sports Awards of the Year 2007 crowning ceremony held at the International Conference Centre of Seychelles (ICCS).

Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Vincent Meriton presented the two badminton players with the cups which they will keep, their R15,000 cheques and certificates; on behalf Air Seychelles, Public Relations and Communications Manager Glenn Pillay handed them a return ticket to any European destination and Cable & Wireless Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Charles Hammond gave each one of them a mobile phone.

This is only the second time in the 23-year history of the Sports Awards crowning ceremony that both the best male and female athletes come from the same sport. The first time was in 1992 when Mirenda Francourt and Danny Beauchamp coming from track and field athletics were crowned.

Besides President James Michel, First Lady Nathalie Michel and Minister Meriton, the other distinguished guests at the ceremony included Vice-President Joseph Belmont, Designated Minister Danny Faure, Speaker of the National Assembly Patrick Herminie, Opposition Leader Wavel Ramkalawan, President of the Court of Appeal Francis McGregor, ministers, principal secretaries and representatives of the Diplomatic Corps.

In fact, admission to last Friday’s glittering ceremony which was switched from the SMB Exhibition Hall to the ICCS was on invitation only.

Other prizes

As runners-up, Laser sailors Meggy Gertrude and Allan Julie received R8,000, 50% reduction on return tickets to Johannesburg from Air Seychelles, cups and certificates.

In third position, female athlete Lindy Leveau-Agricole and badminton player Steve Malcouzane pocketed R6,000, a cup, a certificate and a 50% reduction on return tickets to Singapore from Air Seychelles. It is to note that the National Sports Council (NSC) has sponsored the other 50% for the airline fares to Johannesburg and Singapore.

Fourth place finishers Janet Thélermont (weightlifting) and Kitson Julie (boxing) got R4,000 each, a cup and a certificate, while the two fifth finishers – badminton player Catherina Paulin and weightlifter Charles Siméon - received R3,000, a cup and a certificate.

It was clearly a wonderful night for badminton as Joel Dubel was crowned Young Male Athlete of the Year, while Laser sailor Meggy Gertrude took the Young female Athlete of the Year title. They both received R3,000, a cup and a certificate.

As runners-up, basketballer Abdel Sylla and volleyballer Marielle Bonne got R2,000, a cup and a certificate, while third place finishers table tennis player Anniessa Benstrong and footballer Aaron Jean received R1,000, a cup and a certificate.

Cable & Wireless CEO Hammond and Thomas Dauban, director of Human Resources within the same telecommunication company, presented the prizes to the young athletes.

During the same ceremony, which saw performances by Elijah, André Sinon, Christianna Alexis and the School of Dance, all male and female athletes chosen as the best by their respective federations or associations got R3,000.

Four special awards were also given out on the night with basketball referee Tracey Hétimier being voted official of the year, William Dixie coach of the year, George Sicobo volunteer of the year and the Seychelles Table Tennis Association (STTA) best federation/association of the year.

For the first time in the history of the Sports Awards of the Year crowning ceremony, disabled athletes received certificates and the recipients were Lorna Lespoir and Steven Ernesta.

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What the winners said:

Sportsman of the Year Georgie Cupidon
“When I was crowned Sportsman of the Year 2006, I said that I would work hard to retain the title. I’ve done it and the target is to win a third consecutive title. I thank everyone who has helped me in one way or another in achieving victory on the court. I deserved to win in 2006 and I deserve it again in 2007.”

Sportslady of the Year Juliette Ah-Wan
“I always told myself that I should win the Sportslady of the Year title a second time after my first triumph in 2000. The day has come and I’m happy. I’m looking forward for a third win. I would also like to thank the sport entourage for its support and guidance.”

Young Male Athlete of the Year Joel Dubel
“I’m happy to win the title as I didn’t expect victory tonight (Friday night). My target for the 2008 season is to win a medal at the forthcoming Jeux de la CJSOI in Seychelles.”

Young Female Athlete of the Year Meggy Gertrude
“I’m happy to win the Young Female Athlete of the Year title and I was also hoping to win the Sportslady of the Year crown. I felt I lost the prestigious title because I only competed in one international competition – the All-Africa Games – in 2007. May I take this opportunity to point out that the training environment for sailing here isn’t good and we also do not have a coach.”

G.G