Interview with Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture Minister Vincent Meriton-Good results despite economic difficulties – Minister Meriton |24 December 2009
“We are confident that as long as Seychellois athletes benefit from quality training, train hard and persevere in what they do, they can achieve good results,” he said.
“This gives me high hopes for the 2010 season as we will be taking part in the Commonwealth Games in India, the Olympic Youth Games in Singapore and other high-level international competitions. Discipline is the key to success and I congratulate not only the medallists but also those involved in their preparation.”
The minister noted that the Seychelles government, through the National Sports Council, maintained the financial help it gives to sports federations and associations, and in some cases increased it.
“It was important that all programmes and competitions went on as planned to keep youngsters away from society’s ills,” he explained.
“There has also been an increase in the number of activities organised for working organisations, at district and regional levels. Many people also took part in the eco-healing runs, and the Unity relay was a success that many people are looking forward to taking part in again next year.”
Mr Meriton added that work to upgrade the existing sports facilities have already started.
“Two tennis courts have been renovated and the other two will be done next year. The mini-stadium at Amitié on Praslin has an astro-turf pitch, thanks to the help of the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) and the Fédération internationale de football association (Fifa),” he said.
“The SFF has had talks with its partners to get help to complete the project. Work is also going on well on the dormitories on La Digue so that teams from Mahe can stay overnight after matches. Other groups of people who want to stay on La Digue can also use the facility.”
The minister also stressed that the NSC started its volleyball development programme with the help of the Seychelles Volleyball Federation and that all secondary schools boast a team that took part in two competitions this year.
“This forms part of NSC’s talent identification programme, which will surely benefit all sports federations and associations,” he said.
He also praised the Seychelles Handball Federation for organising an international competition – the Indian Ocean Club Championship – for the first time, 10 years after the sport was introduced here.
“I take this opportunity to thank all sports federations and associations, all officials and volunteers for their hard work. We know that the budget all sports receive is not enough. You’ve done a good job looking for sponsors to make sure all the programmes go on as planned,” he said.
For 2010, Mr Meriton said more money will be injected into athletes’ preparations for major competitions.
“The national technical committee has met the 12 federations and associations whose sports feature in the eighth Indian Ocean Island Games Seychelles will host (from August 5-14, 2011) and it will make an analysis of their athletes’ preparation needs so the country can win as many medals as possible,” he said.
After congratulating Caf and Fifa football coaching instructor Ulric Mathiot, football referee Eddie Maillet and Jean Laure on his appointment to Wada’s education committee, the minister told other sportsmen and women to continue to train hard and to stay focused in their training.
“If you’re not a disciplined athlete, your talent will go to waste,” he concluded.
G. G.