32nd annual Inter-School Athletics Championships-Praslin, MTC retain cups , Plaisance succeed Anse Aux Pins |01 July 2008

As for Plaisance, they were crowned the new primary category champion, replacing Anse Aux Pins who had won the title for the past two years and eight times in nine years.

Sunday’s 32nd annual Inter-School Athletics Championships at Stad Linite was attended by President James Michel, former President Albert Rene, Vice-President Joseph Belmont, ministers, members of the National Assembly, members of the diplomatic corps, high government officials, parents and schoolchildren.

In his address, Education minister Bernard Shamlaye said that it is an honour every year for young athletes to compete in the championships organised on the country’s Independence Day anniversary.

“Seychelles invests a lot in its youths and your future depends on what you are taught today and how you make use of the opportunities given to you,” Minister Shamlaye told the participants before asking them to work hard at school and to appreciate what they receive from their country, teachers and parents.

“You are all important individuals with a lot of talents. Some of you will fly the Seychelles flag high in the Jeux de la Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l’Océan indien (CJSOI) and in other international events in future. We will be there to cheer you and follow your progress,” he added.

After guiding Plaisance Primary School to victory with 109 points – six more than Anse Aux Pins’ total –, former long distance runner and physical education (PE) instructor Nathalie Didon had this to say to Sports Nation: “I’m very happy with my athletes’ performance. Our preparation was geared towards winning the primary cup and we’ve done it.”

Plaisance Primary School also won a special cup for best primary under 14.

Sunday’s secondary category triumph was the fifth in a row for Praslin Secondary School after past wins in 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007. It succeeded three-time winner Anse Boileau as champion in 2004.

After his school collected 395 points – 88 more than the total of runner-up Anse Royale Secondary School, Praslin Secondary School’s PE instructor James Barra said:

“I am proud of my team’s achievement. The athletes did very well and this is proof that our training programme is good. We hope to do well again next year.”

As his athletes danced with joy, MTC spokesperson Saman Clarisse said that “determination was the key behind our success and we have been able to retain the title.”

MTC amassed 111 points – nine more than runner-up NIE.

La Digue retained the President’s Fair Play Cup for competitors for primary level with 160 points, while Anse Royale Secondary School won that for secondary level with 135 points. La Digue was the 2007 secondary category winner after succeeding Anse Royale.

The Seychelles Agricultural & Horticultural Training Centre (SAHTC) won the President’s Fair Play Cup for competitors of the post-secondary category, relegating last year’s winner National Institute of Health and Social Services (NIHSS) into third place. Polytechnic finished second.

President James Michel gave out the Fair Play cups, while the other cups were presented by Vice-President Joseph Belmont and Education Minister Bernard Shamlaye.

The best overall schools got shields which they will keep and the floating cups.

The category winners were Anse Aux Pins (boys under 8 with 27 points and girls under 10 with 23 points), La Digue (girls under 8 with 18 points), Plaisance (boys under 10 with 27 points), Baie Ste Anne Praslin (boys under 12 with 22 points), Mont Fleuri (girls under 12 with 26 points), Anse Royale (boys under 14 with 50 points), English River (girls under 14 with 46 points), Praslin Secondary (boys under 16 with 97 points, girls under 16 with 96 points and girls under 18 with 89 points), Belonie (boys under 18 with 71 points), MTC (boys open category with 75 points) and NIE (girls open category with 59 points).