8th Indian Ocean Island Games – August 5-14-Games’ torch tours Baie Ste Anne Praslin |13 July 2011

Praslin is also the home of Seychelles black parrot (kato nwar) which has been chosen as the Games’ mascot – Toto.

Judo coach Christian Philoé, who will be guiding local judokas during the Games – and former judoka Niousline Finesse – accepted the flame on behalf of the Baie Ste Anne district from two young Diguois athletes.

The torch then started the first leg of its journey through Baie Ste Anne changing hands from the island’s and the country's top judokas – Calixte César, Brigitte Rose, Leslie Philoé, Dominique Dugasse, Naddy Jeanne and Leonel Savy – to the district’s most decorated senior citizens Joyce Adrienne and Erilia Lesperance.

Young volleyballer Flora Lesperance was also among the torchbearers in the first leg of the relay in Baie Ste Anne.

From the jetty, the torch was carried to the sports complex, where a series of sports activities was on the programme.
It was then escorted to the Berjaya Praslin Beach Hotel, where a gala evening was organised.

In the second phase of its tour yesterday, the torch visited other parts of Baie Ste Anne, stopping at various establishments and landmarks of the district, including Anse Marie Louise, Anse La Blague, Anse Lazio, Zimbabwe and Cap Samy.

Today the torch will depart Baie Ste Anne via the Vallée de Mai to be handed over to the Grand Anse Praslin district.

There will be a motorcade round Grand Anse, where various sports, educational and cultural activities, including photo shooting sessions and musical animation, are on the programme for the occasion.

The torch will leave Praslin for Mahe on Saturday morning on board Cat Cocos.
We bring you some of the photos taken by our photographer Louis Toussaint.

R. D.