8th Indian Ocean Island Games – August 5-14-Central region hosts Games’ torch |04 July 2011

The flame’s journey started at the Le Niol junction when footballer Brian Souyana of Bel Ombre handed it over to three youngsters from St Louis. It then changed hands as it travelled to St Louis Bassin, Waterloo Road, Hangard Street, Olivier Maradan Street, Albert Street, Central Police Station, before stopping at the Victoria market.

Badminton player Georgie Cupidon (mixed doubles gold medallist with Juliette Ah-Wan, team event bronze medallist and men’s double bronze medallist with Nicholas Jumaye in Mauritius in 2003) and special athlete Rosie Corallie, who had carried the torch inside the busy market, then handed it to staff of the Mauritius Commercial Bank (MCB) – the Games’ official bank.

After a brief stop at the MCB, managing director Jocelyn Ah-Yu passed the torch on to ex-St Louis and Seychelles goalkeeper Ange Dubignon (silver medallist in Reunion in 1979 and bronze medallists in 1990 in Madagascar).

He carried the torch to the St Louis community centre, where sports activities were already in progress. Other torch bearers from St Louis included Gervais Cupidon, Rico Lawrence, Alex Etienne, Elisha Seraphine, Norbert Harryba, Rita Dogley, Jourdanne Lozé and ex-volleyballer Peggy Jean (twice bronze medallist in 1990 in Madagascar and 1993 in Seychelles).

Jean then handed over the torch to a group of Mont Buxton children. Special athlete Georges ‘Bolot’ Sinon launched the relay for the Mont Buxton district before the torch changed hands from boxer Michael Pillay (gold medallist in 1979 in Reunion) and Selwyn Medor, footballer Michel Renaud, petanque player Lyvia Sinon, karateka Donald Celestine to former basketballer Georges François (silver medallist in 1993 in Seychelles).

Then it was the turn of the Mont Fleuri district to host the torch. Special athletes Bernard Larue and Charles Morel, handballers Leeroy Laure and Aniffa Siméon, volleyballer Dave Boniface and senior citizen Louise Malvina were the torch bearers.

After a stop at the Good Shepherd church where Father Roger Decommarmond held a special service under the theme ‘unity’, the torch headed to the Mont Fleuri police station, where it was handed over to Plaisance representatives Gilbert Pharce and Eli Tirant.

Roma Aglaé and Ibrahim Dodin then took over the torch, before passing it to former Sportsman of the Year and boxer Ralph Labrosse (gold medallist in 1985 in Mauritius) at the Plaisance roundabout.

He carried the torch to the DA’s office before joining former champion Rene Sabury in a boxing demonstration.
 
After Seychelles Football Federation chairman and former goalkeeper Suketu Patel (silver medallist in Reunion in 1979) had made his closing remarks, volleyballer Virginie Richard handed over the torch to young sprinter Ezra Almaze who started the relay for the Les Mamelles district.

Footballer James Bill, professional volleyballer Ricky Vel, tennis player Gloria Lauro were among those who carried the torch through Les Mamelles, before basketballer Heribert Derjacques (silver medallist in 1993 in Seychelles) and netball player Sheila Boniface took it over for the final stage.

The torch will remain at Les Mamelles until Saturday, when it will travel to La Digue.
The following are some of the photos taken by our photographer Patrick Joubert.

R. D.