Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023   |15 July 2023

The special athletes in a souvenir photo with President Ramkalawan and Vice-President Ahmed Afif (Photo: Joena Meme)  

President Ramkalawan welcomes special athletes at State House

Following their good performances at the 16th Special Olympics World Games held recently in Berlin, Germany, members of the Seychelles team, including athletes, coaches and officials were hosted at State House yesterday by President Wavel Ramkalawan, to officially thank and congratulate them for flying the country’s flag at the Games.

At the Games which gathered 7,000 Special Olympics athletes and unified partners from approximately 170 countries who competed in 24 sports, Seychelles won seven medals  ̶  two gold, two silver and three bronze.

In the presence of Vice-President Ahmed Afif; Minister for Youth, Sports and Family Marie-Celine Zialor; principal secretary for youth and sports Ralph Jean-Louis; his counterpart for family affairs Clive Roucou, and chief executive of the National Sports Council (NSC) Marc Arissol, the head of state congratulated the athletes for their good performances and for bringing back medals as promised.

The good results, he said, are bars set, which will surely inspire other athletes to achieve the same, or even better.

President Ramkalawan also acknowledged the hard work and patience of the coaches to be able to work with the special athletes.

He noted that taking part in the Special Olympic World Games is already a big achievement whereby the athletes become ambassadors of the country.

“Probably there were those who did not know about Seychelles and by seeing you winning gold, showed that the country is taking care of their special athletes, while the tourism sector may also benefit from the visibility you brought through your participation at the Games,” said President Ramkalawan.

He added that the group has created friendship which will last, while he is also glad that the athletes have accomplished the task given to them prior to their departure.

“Seychelles views your performance with great honour,” added President Ramkalawan who further noted that the government is continuously seeking ways to encourage other athletes, using the example of a Paralympic athlete who recently received a racing wheelchair, as the perfect example.

President Ramkalawan also seized the moment to urge local business organisations to help out through sponsorships.

On her part, Minister Zialor also congratulated the athletes, coaches and officials for delivering on their promises.

 “At the sending-off ceremony at the L'Escale Resort Marina & Spa, we asked you to bring back a gold medal and you delivered, bringing back the glory that Special Olympics did in the past,” said Minister Zialor.

She expressed her gratitude towards the NSC for providing the athletes and their coaches with airfares to Berlin and back.

She reaffirmed the commitment of the government, through the President and the Cabinet of Ministers who approved for Seychelles to join the global coalition for Special Olympics, while next year, Special Olympics Seychelles will be included in the budget.

“Together with the family division we welcome all those with special needs onboard, to use sport as a platform to address all the difficulties that they are facing alongside the support from the international community,” said Minister Zialor.

She equally expressed her gratitude towards the parents and coaches for the sacrifices made during weekends, making time to train these athletes.

“The country, sports community and the disable community say thank you for your efforts and we thank the sponsors to facilitate their trip, as well as in other gestures, helping the athletes in Seychelles,” added the sports minister.

National director for Special Olympics, Helen Ernesta, said it was a great honour to be welcomed by the President at State House, the first time in the history of Special Olympics Seychelles.

“I have been with the Special Olympics for 37 years and today is the first time a delegation of our athletes has been invited to State House, following an international competition,” said Ms Ernesta.

This, she said, shows that the government is beginning to interact with the Special Olympics.

On behalf of Special Olympics Seychelles, Ms Ernesta expressed her gratitude towards President Ramkalawan and the Cabinet of Ministers for receiving them, adding she hopes that through the coalition and commitment Seychelles is making, the attitude will change and we will see more engagement on the part of government with the Special Olympics.

On behalf of his colleagues, special athlete Peter Valentin, who competed in bocce, said the competition was not that difficult for them as they were well trained and prepared for the Games.

Winner of two bronze medals, Valentin said they had to be mentally strong as there were some countries who posed a threat. “I feel proud to have won two medals,” said Valentin who added that the World Games were a pleasant experience as everything went smoothly.

Team Seychelles at the Special Olympics World Games 2023 comprised Donelle Ernesta (girls athletics), Jean-Marc de Silva and Anil Quatre (boys athletics), Graham Jacques, Anielle Charlette – from La Digue – Peter Valentin, Maggie Estico – from Praslin – Aleandro Croisée, Suzie Sarakkya – from Mahé – (bocce), and Richard Sophola (power lifting).

They were accompanied by head coach Erica Celeste, coaches Olivier Nibourette, Vincent Cedras, Rency Balgobin and Jean Vardin, Hellen Ernesta (head of delegation), Raymonde Onezime (assistant head of delegation) and Dr Mickey Noël (medical).

The gold medallists are Richard Sophola and Jean-Marc de Silva.

De Silva won the country’s first gold medal in the long jump contest with a best effort of 2.38m.

Richard Sophola added another gold medal to Seychelles’ tally after winning the men’s deadlift competition.

Sophola, who just started power lifting in February this year, could only manage second place overall in the men’s squat to bring home the silver medal.

Seychelles’ other silver medal was won by Suzie Sarakkya in women’s singles bocce.

As for the bronze medals, they have been won by Sarakkya and Anielle Charlette in women’s doubles bocce, while Peter Valentin and Graham Jacques won one apiece in the men’s singles bocce.

The Special Olympics World Games offer the opportunity to unite the world like no other event can, where people with and without disabilities, people of different nations, cultures, political views and religions meet and can overcome existing prejudices with the power of sport.

Neil Sirame