Unique Foundation rewards athletes on Praslin |06 August 2022

After a two-year gap due to the Covid-19 restrictions, the National Inter-School Athletics Championship was back this year with the 44th competition, gathering over 1100 athletes from different public and private schools on all three main islands.

This year, Praslinois athletes rose to the occasion and surprised their community with an outstanding performance, with Grand Anse Praslin primary school finishing top in the primary school category.

Each year, the Praslin-based non-government organisation, Unique Foundation, which comprises volunteers who work towards making a positive difference in the lives of children and youth of Seychelles through its mentorship and positive youth development programme, rewards youth who have actively participated in a positive manner in their community.

This year the foundation chose to do so throughout the year and rewarded the Praslinois athletes for their outstanding performance, and this was done during an award ceremony in collaboration with Le Duc de Praslin Hotel and the support of other members of the Praslin business community.

The members of National Assembly for Praslin and several parents were also present.

A total of 143 athletes – 33 from the Baie Ste Anne primary school, 39 from the  Grand Anse Praslin primary school, 63 from the Praslin secondary school and eight from the Vijay International School – were awarded certificates and trophies on the day.

The trainers, all with over 10 years of experience, shared their appreciation for the ceremony as well as their experience for the preparation of this year’s championship which was particularly challenging.

The awards were presented by past athletes Ketina Marguerite, Jose Labiche and Nerry Luc; all champions of their specific athletics disciplines from a few years back.

The athletes expressed their appreciation for such a ceremony, which in their opinion displays the appreciation of the community and encourages them to keep striving harder for even better results in the future.

The ceremony was also an opportunity to award and pay tribute to Benjamin Cadence, a trainer and physical education teacher who will be retiring after 38 years of service.

Although he could not attend the ceremony, Mr Cadence received a special mention and recognition award for his remarkable contribution to sports development, especially athletics on the island.

Organiser and chairperson of Unique Foundation, Farida Camille, shared the aim of the activity, saying “today we honour the athletes and their trainers for their devotion and good performance”, adding that “we believe in positive youth development and we shall continue to encourage the athletes and boost up their confidence for even better performance in the future”.

The Foundations’ Island Youth Band animated the ceremony which was followed by lunch.

Nadia Bedier

Photos: Unique Foundation