11th Indian Ocean Islands Games 2023 – Madagascar |19 April 2023

Discipline remains the key element in preparations, says sports minister

Discipline is one of the most important traits learned through sports, and it is crucial for any sport as it builds an athlete's character to help him/her focus and achieve his/her goals without any distractions.

While Team Seychelles have entered preparations for the forthcoming 11th Indian Ocean Islands Games 2023 scheduled to take place in Madagascar from August 23 to September 3, discipline will remain one, if not the key factor of athletes’ preparation, Minister for Youth, Sports and Family Marie-Celine Zialor has once again stressed upon.

She was speaking in the National Assembly yesterday, answering the question of member of the National Assembly (MNA) for Anse Etoile Georges Romain, regarding the preparations of local athletes for the 11th IOIG.

Minister Zialor explained that despite a huge percentage of the preparation is focused on modern and standard methods of preparations, which are scientifically oriented, discipline remains the key area of interest.

She said while observing the preparations, the element of discipline among the athletes has been identified as an area which needs to be worked upon immediately, and in a firm way, if we want to achieve good results at the IOIG.

She noted that despite talents, lack of discipline can affect not only the preparations, but also the performance of athletes.

Minister Zialor further explained that recent good results at the 12th Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l'Océan Indien (CJSOI) Games which took place between December 4-11 in Mauritius and also that of the national football selection during the recent Fédération Internationale de Football Association (Fifa) Tier-1 international friendly match in Bangladesh were achieved through high level of discipline.

Mental preparation is another area through which local athletes are being moulded for the 11th Games, Minister Zialor explained.

In terms of budgeting, a total of R16.5 million has been allocated for preparations, while the country is also receiving help from other countries.

As for the country’s involvement at the Games, it will cost an additional R20.4 million.

Roland Duval