Families recognised for joint contributions towards local sports |16 July 2022
Representatives of the families in a souvenir photo with Minister Zialor and PS Jean-Louis (Photo: Thomas Meriton)
Gratitude should be shown while someone is alive so that he or she can hear it and feel appreciated, Minister for Youth, Sports and family Marie-Celine Zialor has said.
She was speaking during a special ceremony to honour and thank family members who have jointly contributed in the development and achievements of Seychelles’ sports both at local and international level.
A joint initiative between the family department and the the National Sports Council (NSC), the event which gathered members from over 20sporting families took place at the Family House at Bel Eau, in the presence of principal secretary for youth and sports Ralph Jean-Louis and the chief executive of the Seychelles National Youth Council (SNYC) Penny Belmont.
It was also the occasion to reward winners of the first ever family marathon hosted by the NSC, in collaboration with the Perseverance district on June 25, and also staff of the SNYC who worked on the various programmes for the recent national celebrations including Constitution Day (June 18) and Independence Day and National Day (June 29).
Minister Zialor said in line with this year’s theme ‘My Family, My Heart’, since family and sports are under the same portfolio, it is important to say a big thank you to all past and existing sporting families.
She said without the support and encouragement of the families, it would have been very difficult, or even impossible for most local athletes to achieve outstanding results.
Minister Zialor added that such support is needed and will still be needed in the future since sports is the ideal solution to keep the youth away from social ills.
The family members who been rewarded are:
Juliette Waye-Hive (formerly Ah-Wan, badminton), Alisen Camille (badminton) and Rival Payet (formerly Cadeau, boxing)
Roland Raforme and Kitson Julie (boxing)
Marie-Ange Bouchereau, Solana Domingue, Nathalie Domingue (volleyball) and Jean Quatre (athletics)
Rodney Ah-Kong, Jean Paul Ah-kong (volleyball) Vigonia Ah-kong (athletics)
Jerina Bonne, Marielle Bonne and Marie-Hélène Rose (volleyball)
Paul Nioze and Erica Nioze (athletics)
Terrence Dixie and William Dixie (weightlifting)
Lissa Labiche (athletics) and Jose Labiche (football)
Guilly Bijoux, Samuel Bijoux, Bernard Bijoux and Benjamin Bijoux (volleyball)
Ivan Roberts and Kenny Roberts (swimming)
Amadou Sylla and Abdel Sylla (basketball)
Rodney Govinden and Roy Govinden (yachting)
Meggy Gertrude, Beth Gertrude (yachting) and Danny Gertrude (windsurfing)
Marie-Claire Chetty (netball, handball, basketball) Kishnan Chetty (volleyball) and Natasha Chetty (athletics)
Denzel Adam, Darius Adam, Joseph Adam (athletics) and Timmy Adam (basketball)
Tony Lespoir and Trevor Lespoir (canoeing)
Sergio Ah-Kong, Reggie Ah-Kong, Nigel Ah-Kong (basketball)
Keven Furneau, Dave Furneau (basketball) and Ian Furneau (volleyball)
Beryl Larame and Percy Larame (athletics)
Steve Zialor (volleyball), Phillip Zialor and Denis Zialor (football)
Vincent Confait, Marvis and Marcus Confait (athletics)
Clementina Agricole and Rena Agricole (weightlifting)
Roland Duval