Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l'Océan Indien (CJSOI) Games 2022 countdown ‘Selection process to be based on discipline over talent and skills,’ says Minister Zialor |09 December 2021
It is important to raise the level of regional competitions, bringing them closer to more high level competitions, thus making it easier for local athletes to bring more high level medals home, Minister for Youth, Sports and Family Marie-Celine Zialor has said.
She made the statement on Tuesday during the launch of the official countdown for the 12th Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l'Océan Indien (CJSOI) Games scheduled to take place between December 4-11, 2022 in Mauritius.
Initially scheduled for July 16-25, 2021, the Games were postponed due to uncertainties linked to the Covid-19 pandemic in addition to the changes made to the school calendar and the holding of the Olympic Games this year postponed from last year.
Seychelles will be represented in 10 confirmed sports disciplines, namely athletics, beach handball, futsal, boxing, weightlifting, swimming, petanque, tennis, table tennis, yachting, and basketball, while triathlon is still another being worked on.
Tuesday’s event was attended by principal secretary for Sports Ralph Jean-Louis, chief executives of the National Sports Council (NSC) Jean Larue, the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) Penny Belmont, and the National Council for Children (NCC) Yasmin Umarji.
Addressing those present, especially the young athletes, coaches and other cadres, Minister Zialor maintained that from now on, discipline will be the crucial criteria in selecting athletes to represent the country at any level.
She said selection will be based on discipline over talents and skills.
Minister Zialor further explained that bad behaviour, both among athletes and spectators will be dealt with accordingly, something which she said will be carried out in partnership with other agencies, including the police force.
She further noted that in order to progress, we need to adopt an attitude of sports and values where discipline should remain as the pivotal element.
During the ceremony, those present had the chance to listen to the testimony of ex-footballer Jeffery Thomas who was part of the first Seychelles team to bring home a CJSOI gold medal.
That was in Madagascar in 1994, under the strict guidance of no nonsense coach Jeris César.
As part of the preparation leading to the 12th Games, the ministry responsible for sports, through the NSC will meet with and establish rapports with the 11 sports associations and federations’ representatives in ensuring Seychelles’ successful participation in all 11 disciplines by both boys and girls, while funding projects for 2022 and sports psychology (mental health taking prominence in the world of sports).
As for the ‘volet jeunesse’ which is part of the Games, a new approach will be taken as recommended by Seychelles in the ministerial meeting, where, other than cultural exchanges (dancing, singing and theatre) it was proposed that youths are engaged in more academic dialogues and discussions around topics such as climate change or the blue economy.
With the ministry’s ethos to ‘BRING THE MEDAL HOME’ – we are optimistic that Team Seychelles will do it, with the CJSOI being observed as the first step towards eventually competing in the Olympic Games and thus bringing the first Olympic medal home.
The accompanying photos taken by Louis Toussaint show some of the athletes and delegates during the launch of the official countdown for the 12th CJSOI Games.
Roland Duval
