Olympic Solidarity Naddy Jeanne, Anna Barra on Olympic-backed scholarship |26 October 2021

From left to right: Naddy Jeanne, Socga president Gopal, Anna Barra and Socga secretary general Alain Alcindor

Local athletics coach Anna Barra and judo trainer Naddy Jeanne are the newest recipients of the Programme d'Appui International au Sport Africain et des Caraïbes (Paisac) scholarships which is backed by the Olympic Solidarity.

Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, a hybrid online and face-to-face programme has been offered since spring 2020, allowing coaches to continue to improve their skills remotely.

The first phase of the programme will take place locally between November 1 and December 11, while the second phase will be held in Montreal, Canada from May 2-30, 2022.

Through the programme coaches learn about performance psychology, physical preparation, long term athlete development and performance planning.

Both coaches received and signed their official documents on Friday, during a ceremony held at the Olympic House at Roche Caïman, in the presence of president of the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (Socga) Antonio Gopal, Socga’s secretary general Alain Alcindor and executive committee members.

Coach Jeanne, who is presently in charge of the Etoile Judo Club, will be on his first ever Paisac scholarship, while coach Barra will be attempting her advanced level four certificate.

Backed by the Olympic Solidarity, Paisac is an African initiative of development through sport. It has been developed in collaboration with the French-speaking African sports environment in order to be able to respond better to the specific needs of its coaches and sports trainers. It now also operates in Commonwealth countries.

Among the list of local Paisac recipients are Barnsley Albert, Robert Suzette (swimming), Emmanuel Larue, Tony Hortere (handball), Philip Arissol (basketball), Gerry Legras (boxing), Gavin Jeanne (football), Ruudy Joseph (volleyball) and Ricardo Suzette (athletics).

Other than the coaches, Mr Alcindor is also a Paisac graduate after following a one-year (Executive Masters in Sport Organisations Management – MEMOS) for professionals working in national or international sports bodies to develop the knowledge and skills required to better manage their organisations.

Roland Duval