Judo   Seychelles judo suffers ‘ippon’ right at the beginning of sports resumption |27 September 2021

Barely two weeks after the green light was given by the Public Health Authority for the resumption of sports activities in the country, the local judo governing body is already in disarray, failing to set up a complete executive committee.

During the Seychelles Judo Federation (SJF) annual general meeting held on Saturday at the Olympic House, Roche Caïman, only a new president and three ordinary members were elected, while most of the seats for executive committee members are still empty.

Terrence Barbé, the director for sports management and development within the National Sports Council (NSC) is the new SJF president after contesting the election as a member of the Baie Ste Anne Judo Club.

He now replaces Mervin Joubert who had been in the post for the past three years. Only Terry Mothé (referee director), Brigitte Cesar (media and communication – replacing Kenneth Pointe) and Telsia King (discipline representative) are the ordinary members voted into office.

The posts for vice-chairman (previously occupied by Paddy King), secretary general (previously occupied by Sandra Jeanne), treasurer (previously occupied by Jenna Finesse), sports director (previously occupied by Henry Moustache) and coaches’ representative (previously occupied by Naddy Jeanne) are still vacant.

It is not clear since when Mr Barbé became affiliated to the Praslin-based club, let alone judo as a sport, but it is obvious that his presence and ‘election’ at Saturday’s meeting is the main reason behind the vacant seats within the SJF.

Someone occupying such a position within the NSC surely must have more than enough on his plate, especially with sports activities in the new normal due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

With new election coming up next year for the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (Socga) executive committee, are people already getting ambitious?

Another concern is regarding the announcement of the visit by president of the International Judo Federation (IJF) Marius Vizer at the invitation of the local sports authority.

Is the divided local judo family, along with an incomplete executive committee the ideal picture Seychelles wants to present to Mr Vizer?

Having represented Seychelles at various international competitions, including the Olympics, is judo taking a huge step backward?

Attracting many youngsters through various clubs around the islands, and also known for promoting discipline, hopefully local judo can redeem itself while those with personal interests can think a bit more responsibly, especially for our youngsters’ sake.

Roland Duval