Seychelles aiming for medals at African Games

Seychelles aiming for medals at African Games

The Seychelles delegation that will be heading to the Accra, Ghana, for the African Games, have been given their official send-off with the aim of bringing back gold.

The sending-off ceremony took place last Monday evening at the Berjaya Beau Vallon Bay Resort, in the presence of the Minister for Family Affairs, Youth and Sport, Marie-Celine Zialor, along with the principal secretary for Sports, National Sports Council CEO, and other staff of the NSC, athletes and officials.

In fact, the ceremony was not a big one, since many athletes are not in the country, but those present were able to receive some words of encouragement from the minister nonetheless. “We will not be going to the African Games for experience,” said the Minister, adding; “Our athletes know the taste of African Games medals!”

Representing 7  Sporting disciplines

Seychelles be represented in seven sporting disciplines at the games, which as athletics, boxing, judo, badminton, swimming, weightlifting and volleyball. “Carry Seychelles in your mind, carry Seychelles in your heart and do your best. If you cannot win a medal, look for a personal best and no matter what result you come back with, we will encourage you,” added Minister Zialor.

There is already a group officials from Seychelles that are in Ghana, which included the head of the delegation, Lucas Georges, with the first delegation of athletes left the 8th March, with athletes from judo, weightlifting, volleyball and swimming, while the second delegation left on March 10, and this will feature those from athletics and boxing.

There are however, other athletes that are not in the country, either on overseas training or in other competitions, and they will meet up with the delegation in Ghana. One of the athletes that will head directly to Ghana from overseas competition, is boxer and newly crown Seychelles sportsman of the year, Keddy Agnes, who will also be Seychelles flag bearer. In his absence, it was another gold medal winning boxer, Dasheil Fanchette, who accepted the Seychelles flag from the minister, on his behalf.

Fanchette’s first appearance

This will be Fanchette’s first appearance at the tournament, after bursting onto the scene during last year’s Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG). “This is a big tournament, especially for a first time for me, but all competition that I go to, the aim is to win a medal,” said Fanchette, adding that despite not having extensive preparations, he and his colleagues will be looking to do their best in Ghana.

While this will be a first African Games appearance for Fanchette, for weightlifter Clementina Agricole, this competition is not new to this competition, twice winning bronze medals (2007 and 2015). “For me, I am a bit disappointed, as we have really had any preparations, but I will be trying to do my best, but I don’t have any big expectations,” said Agricole, who is in fact the only athlete from weightlifting who will attend the games, with local weightlifting currently facing some issues in regards to doping.

Another athletes making her first appearance at the games is swimmer Aaliyah Palestrini, who is quietly confident about her chances. “The training sessions have been quite good, and although I think it will be tough, I will try to do my best,” said Palestrini.

The 13th African Games are expected to be held in Ghana between 8 – 23 March 2024.

This is the second time in history that the games will be decentralized, as three cities in the host country will host the event. The three cities chosen for these functions are Accra, Kumasi, and Cape Coast.

The African Games, formally known as the All-Africa Games or the Pan African Games, are a continental multi-sport event held every four years, organized by the African Union (AU) with the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) and the Association of African Sports Confederations (AASC).

Seychelles have had some success in these games, winning a total of nine gold medals, 28 silver medals, and 35 bronze medal.

Athletics: Sharry Dodin, Caleb Vadivello, Iven Moise, Don Wirtz, Janosh Moncherry, Denzel Adam, Dylan Sicobo, Neil Azemia, Natasha Chetty
Boxing: Shain Boniface, Joshua Cousin, Jovanie Bouzin, Dasheil Fanchette, Mohamed William, Arshild David, Keddy Agnes
Judo: Amandah Payet, Cheryl Marie, Murella Crea, Paris Loze, Nigel Kilindo, Ashley Paul, Alexander Quinlindo, Dominic Dugasse, Jamison Dick, Nantenaina Finesse.
Swimming: Keira Berlouis, Dorianne Bristol, Abigail Labuschagne, Isabelle Labuschagne, Aaliyah Palestrini, Sofie Frichot, Amos Ferley, Nathan Nagapin, Thierry Payet, Damien Payet, Simon Bachmann, Adam Moncherry, Joshua Miller.
Volleyball: Nayeli Etienne, Camilla Francourt, Tania Solin, Petra Richard, Manuela Monthy, Hilary Nouricce, Angelique Adeline, Marielle Bonne, Vanita Rose, Petrina Victor, Catrina Simon, Natifa Marengo, Dania Hoareau.
Weightlifting: Clementina Agricole
Badminton: Jei Luo

Author: S.N / Edited: J.R

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