Sports Awards of the Year 2014 - Meet the male finalists |23 January 2015
The big day on the local sports calendar is fast approaching. The Sports Awards of the Year crowning ceremony on Friday January 30 is the day the country’s top athletes will be rewarded for their achievements.
Members of the public are being urged to take part in choosing the best young and senior female and male athletes. While we all have our favourites, it goes without saying that results and performances are everything and this is why we at Seychelles NATION are giving you the opportunity to see the results for yourselves, so you can make an informed decision.
Voting forms have already been published in the Friday January 16 issue of this newspaper and to vote you have to fill in the forms. All filled-in forms should be faxed to number 4225590 or be forwarded to selection committee chairman Jean Larue’s office at Oceangate House, room 217.
The deadline to send in the forms is Thursday January 29. Those who would like to vote should do so in order of preference from the list of finalists chosen by the selection committee.
Badminton player Steve Malcouzane
Malcouzane was named the best male badminton player of 2014 after placing first in the men’s doubles event of the Curtain-raiser tournament and men’s singles of the India Day tournament in local competitions. He also finished second in the men’s doubles of both the India Day tournament and Closing Cup competitions.
In international competitions, he won the bronze medals in the men’s doubles alongside Georgie Cupidon and team event at the African Badminton Championship, and lost in the quarterfinal of the men’s doubles at the South Africa Open.
“I think it is all in the hands of the jury as they are the ones who will make the final decision, but I do feel I can do well,” said former Sportsman of the Year Malcouzane.
Badminton player Georgie Cupidon
Runner-up to badminton player of the year Steve Malcouzane, Georgie Cupidon won first place in the men’s singles and mixed doubles of the Curtain-raiser tournament, first place in the men’s doubles and mixed doubles of the India Day tournament and also first place in the men’s doubles of the Closing Cup competition.
At international level, Cupidon won a bronze medal in the men’s doubles and team event of the African Championship, and lost in the quarterfinals of the men’s doubles at the South Africa Open.
“I am confident I can be among the top five this year, although I do not see myself winning as in my opinion Ziad deserves the title,” said Cupidon.
Basketballer Timmy Adam
Indian Ocean Club Championship bronze medallist with PLS Hawks, whom he joined on loan, Timmy Adam was also named the tournament’s top scorer. He also won the national league championship with his club Baya, finishing as the leading scorer in most matches in which he featured and also finished second with Baya in the Curtain-raiser tournament.
“I can’t really say where I will finish, but I don’t think it will be in the first five. So I am happy to have been named among the top 10,” said Adam.
Bodybuilder Ziad Al Adou Mekdachi
Flex poser Ziad Al Adou Mekdachi successfully defended his Mr Seychelles crown won in 2013 and also won the Seychelles Bodybuilding championships locally.
On the international front, he famously won the 90kg category at the Mr Olympia Amateur in South Africa and also claimed gold in the 90kg division at the Eric Favre Classic Nuit des Champions in Mauritius. He finished second overall in both competitions.
“I am honoured to have been selected among the top 10 athletes in Seychelles and now it’s all up to the judges. I will be content with their decision, as to be nominated is already a big honour for me,” said Mekdachi.
Bodybuilder Rodney Henriette
Runner-up to bodybuilder of the year Ziad Al Adou Mekdachi, Rodney Henriette won his first ever local bodybuilding competition when he clinched the Mr Regatta title. He also finished as runner-up in the Mr Seychelles contest. At the Eric Favre Classic Nuit des Champions in Mauritius, Henriette won the 80kg category and was voted the best poser.
“I am satisfied to be among the top 10, but I am not expecting much as there are athletes who have done much better, including my colleague Ziad who I think could win,” said Henriette.
Boxer Andrique Allisop
Former Sportsman of the Year Andrique Allisop is among the favourites for the award, having won gold at the Limassol Boxing Championship in Cyprus and gold at the African Nations Cup in South Africa. He also represented Seychelles at the XX Commonwealth Games where he lost in the last 16 phase.
“I am very satisfied with my performance throughout the year and I am confident of featuring among the top two,” said Allisop.
Boxer Keddy Agnes
Keddy Agnes is the runner-up for the boxer of the year award and he won a silver medal at the Limassol Boxing Championship in Cyprus and added another silver medal to his collection at the African Nations Cup in South Africa.
“I am happy to be among the top 10 and I would be content with a fifth or sixth place finish. I think Andrique has done enough to win it,” said Agnes.
Judoka Dominic Dugasse
Dominic Dugasse will be looking to defend his title won in 2013 and in 2014 he won a bronze medal at the African Open Championship. He also had two seventh place finishes at the African Championship and the XX Commonwealth Games.
“I do believe I have a chance of retaining my title, but there will be stiff competition from Andrique Allisop and Ziad Mekdachi for the award,” said Dugasse.
Sailor Allan Julie
With six Sportsman of the Year titles under his belt, sailor Allan Julie is the title record holder and in 2014 he dominated the local scene winning five local competitions – Morin Group Laser Open, Cascade Slipway trophy, National Championship, Hunt Deltel Open and the Beau Vallon Regatta. He also finished third in a regional championship.
“I don’t see myself finishing very high up as I only competed in local competitions,” said Julie.
Volleyball player Ricky Vel
Ricky Vel featured in the all-conquering Beau Vallon team who won the SVF Shield, Space 95 division one league, Land Marine division one Cup and SVF Cup locally.
At international level, Vel represented Seychelles in the World Cup qualifiers where the team finished third out of five teams. At the African Club Championships, Beau Vallon finished 18th out of 21 teams and they also could not defend their zone 7 IOCC title as they had to settle for third place.
“It is the first time I have been nominated in this category and I am not really expecting more than this as I feel others such as Ziad and Andrique have a bigger chance of winning,” said Vel.
Compiled by S. N.