8th Indian Ocean Island Games-Night of champions on August 31 |17 August 2011

Organised with the help of sponsors, the night dubbed ‘Night of Champions’ is scheduled for Wednesday August 31, starting at 6pm at the International Conference Centre.

Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton said this in an interview with the media yesterday afternoon at the Games’ secretariat at Oceangate House.

He noted that the athletes’ performances and results surpassed the Games’ organising committee’s expectations.

Seychelles won a record-breaking 57 gold medals, 24 silver and 36 bronze in the 12 sporting disciplines in the Games which ran from August 5-14, beating the previous highest gold-medal haul of 43 won in Mauritius in 2003.

“57 gold medals is an unbelievable result. We did not expect it,” said the minister.

“We finished just one gold medal short of Reunion’s total of 58. It’s an amazing result!

“We thank all the athletes, coaches, parents, spectators, officials, volunteers, members of the organising committee and Games Commissioner Eric Arnephie and his team who helped in every way they can to achieve these historic and good results.

“We should start working now to consolidate our second position or even do better at the 9th IOIG in Reunion in 2015. It won’t be easy, we all know that.

“We have overtaken Mauritius and Madagascar and we are now challenging the best. We can do it if we continue believing in ourselves and in our abilities,” said Minister Meriton, who reiterated that the athletes were inspired by the simple messages of hard work and putting Seychelles first.

The minister added that his team felt good when the departing delegations said “chapeau” to Seychelles on organising nice Games in such difficult conditions.

“Sponsors – big and small – volunteers and other people rallied together for the success of the Games and we are proud of what we have been able to put on for our youths and those of the Indian Ocean region. It’s unbelievable how so much can be done when we come together and with no financial intervention from the government. Only today (Tuesday) I received three phone calls from sponsors who are willing to bring their support after such unbelievable results,” he said.

Especially pleased with the Seychellois sportsmen and women for giving a 100% for the country, the minister added that the organising committee will produce a CD and a coffee table book which will portray some of the spectacular moments of the Games and get people to relive those happy moments.

Describing the Seychellois public as the extra man each time Seychelles’ teams were in action, Minister Meriton noted that a sports symposium will be organised soon and it will discuss sports financing, high level sports, sports tourism, among many issues.

The National Sports Council, Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association, sports federations and associations, schools and other actors involved in the running of sports here will be invited to take part in the symposium.

The minister added that all cooks and people who worked in the canteen at the Games’ Village on Ile Persévérance will get together today, while the volunteers’ night is on Friday September 2, starting at 7pm at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Hotel.

G. G.