Best footballers for 2017 rewarded |29 December 2017

The Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) has rewarded the best in football for 2017.

The athletes and officials received their prizes in a gala evening held at the Chilli Bar Restaurant, La Louise, on Wednesday night.

Among the guests were SFF chairman Elvis Chetty, the president of the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth games Association (Socga) Antonio Gopal, SFF executive board members, staff and partners of SFF.

The best male footballer for the year 2017 is Bertrand Esther. The St Louis FC captain has been instrumental for his team this season, winning the SFF league cup, the SFF Cup and coming out as runner-up in the Airtel Cup. He received his award from Mr Chetty.

“The award is the result of the hard work of the whole St Louis team this season because if the team were not successful, I don’t think I would have won the title. I knew towards the end of the season I stood a chance of winning the title as people were starting to say it would be either me or Elijah Tamboo. We are both players of St Louis FC and in the end it’s me who made it and I am very happy. He is happy for me too and I would like to thank the coach, management and all those who have given us the push,” said Esther who was recruited from Praslin side LightStars.

The 2017 best female footballer is Pascalina Moustache. The Rovers player is always at the attack to help her team win competitions in decisive moments.

“Women football in Seychelles is not like it used to be in the past, but although there are only three teams I have shown my ability to deserve the award,” she said.

Victoria City and Blue Diamond are the only two other women’s teams, and Moustache hopes that more is done to increase the number of teams so that women’s football can develop further.

In his opening remark, chairman Chetty said the 2017 football season was a difficult one for the SFF as it was a year where a lot of lessons were learnt, but he recognised that the SFF has also done many good things. He acknowledged that due to certain limitations, the SFF committed some errors in certain decisions made, but he presented his apology to all the aggrieved parties.

“We have reached a point where we have to consult with you more on decisions we take. We have to realise that we are of the same football family and we have to work together. I urge you to leave the past behind but we also must not repeat the same mistakes. Let us work for a better football future in 2018,” he said.

Mr Chetty congratulated all winners for their good performances in 2017 and encouraged others to work harder next year to achieve their goals.

“Victory comes with hard work and dedication,” he said.

The SF boss informed the audience that there will be many changes in the ways the SFF will function in regards to regulations, status, communication and decision-making in 2018.

He said that new amendments to the game’s regulations will be announced before the start of the new season.

Mr Chetty also spoke about the regrettable incident that happened on Praslin involving the Côte d’Or football team whose president is a member of the SFF executive committee and who fought against the federation when we should have been a united family.

“It’s difficult to survive in sport in Seychelles. We have to stay united to get the support. If the community sees that we are divided, we won’t get the support,” he added.

Mr Chetty said more effort will be put into developing youth and women football next year. He added that unlike some other African countries where officials have to pay for their courses, the SFF offers local coaches courses at different levels for free. He urged officials to take the opportunities available for their own advantage. He also wished all members of the football family a prosperous 2018.

The award winners are:

Male footballer of the year: Bertrand Esther

Runner-up male footballer of the year: Elijah Tamboo

Beach footballer of the year: Alpha Baldé (One Stone)

Female player of the year: Pascalina Moustache (Rovers)

Best young female player of the year: Ginny Dorby (Anse Royale secondary school)

Best young male player of the year: Stan Esther (Under-17 team)

Top scorer (women’s football): Natasha Bibi (7 goals, Rovers)

Top scorer (beach soccer): Don Anacoura (28 goals, Real Maldives)

Top scorer (third division): Rino Pauline (20 goals, Under-17 selection)

Top scorer (second division): Asman Todisoa (27 goals, Real Maldives)

Top scorer (first division): Jacquot Jocelyn Fenosoa (17 goals, Red Star Defence Forces)

Best goalkeeper: Hervé ‘Michel’ Rakotoarison (St Louis)

Best beach soccer goalkeeper: Damien Adela (One Stone)

Coach of the year: Nigel Freminot (St Louis)

Young referee of the year: Daniel Cécile

Best match official: James Emile

P. J.