Handball action to resume on March 7 |28 January 2009

By the time they get back to playing again, local handballers will have been out of action for just over three months.

The last competition they took part in was the Total Sport-sponsored SHF Cup won by Rybar (women) and AC Brothers (men) last November.

As usual, the players are expected to be ready to give their fans their money’s worth when they come to the Palais des Sports on Saturday mornings.

Women’s League and Cup double winners last year, Rybar have a chance to retain the Curtain-raiser title when they meet 2006 double achievers Arsu.

In last year’s match, Rybar got balanced scoring with Vanessa Barbé (eight) and 2007 female player of the year Leona Zacek (seven) combining for 15 goals in their team’s 31-20 (half-time score: 11-10) win over Arsu.

Winners on a 37-34 score against AC Brothers in last year’s men’s match, PLS Hurricanes will not be involved in this season’s men’s Curtain-raiser match after only finishing third in the league and failing to make the final of the SHF Cup.

SHF Cup winners for a third consecutive year in 2008, AC Brothers will meet defending league champions Duranta Brothers to decide who will win this year’s men’s Curtain-raiser title.

A week after the top two male and female teams have set the tone for the new season, the men’s and women’s league championships will start on Saturday March 14. Teams are asked to collect registration forms from either Joliff Figaro at the Palais des Sports or Norbert Dogley at the Ministry of Education. Filled-in forms should be returned to the same two persons by Friday February 13 the latest.

Teams registered with the SHF, as well as those who are not, are also invited to compete in a beach competition on Sunday March 1 at Grand Anse Mahe.

Meanwhile, the SHF has revealed the names of its best male and female players for the year 2008.

Brian Esparon has been chosen as the best male player after shutting out opponents to  lead Duranta Brothers to winning the league championship ahead of AC Brothers and PLS Hurricanes.

With five years experience, goalkeeper Esparon displayed a positive attitude towards the sport of handball and is a promising player.

The male runner-up is AC Brothers’ Steven André, who played a part in his team’s Total Sport-sponsored SHF Cup win.

Nathalie Samynadin is the female player of the year, succeeding teammate Leona Zacek. A thorn in opposing teams’ defences, Samynadin was a regular scorer for Rybar, who made a clean sweep of all titles, winning the Curtain-raiser match, League championship and Total Sport-sponsored SHF Cup.

She also played for Rybar in the Indian Ocean Club Championship in Madagascar.
Former player of the year Thelma Sauzier of Arsu was voted the female runner-up.

In the youth category, Dave Bonnelame, who captained Duranta Brothers to winning the League championship, has retained the young male player of the year award. He is a skillful player whose future looks bright if he stays focus.

Angella Nicette is the female young player of the year and she plays for Anse Aux Pins-based APC Sisters.

A Physical Education instructor by profession, Tony Hortère has been named coach of the year and he has three teams – AC Brothers, APC Brothers (male) and APC Sisters (female) – made up of young players under his command.

The best referee title has been won by Ian Loizeau, while Joliff Figaro is handball’s volunteer of the year.

G. G.