Volleyball: Coupe des îles de l’Océan Indien – From July 29 to August 6 in Reunion   Two under-20 selections leave for Reunion today |28 July 2022

The players and coaches in a souvenir photo with principal secretary for Youth and Sports Ralph Jean-Louis who met them while they were in camp (Photo: Contributed)

Seychelles’ under-20 female and male national selections leave the country today to take part in the Coupe des îles de l'Océan Indien, scheduled to take place from July 29 to August 6 at gymnase de Trois-Mares in Reunion.

Other than Seychelles and hosts Reunion (four selections), Mauritius will also be taking part in the competition with two selections.  The competition will feature both indoor and beach volleyball.

The indoor volleyball tournament will be played on a league format with group winners and runners-up playing the final, while the bottom two will battle for third place.

As for beach volleyball, it will be a one-day tournament.

Formerly hosted under the umbrella of the Commission de la Jeunesse et des Sports de l'Océan Indien (CJSOI), the tournament was last held in 2018 where the two Seychelles selection won the bronze medal in indoor volleyball, while the girls finished as runners-up in beach volleyball.

At this year’s beach volleyball tournament, Seychelles will be represented by two boys’ teams (Adrian Cesar and Correy Toussaint) and (Freddricko Young and Francesco Joubert) and two girls’ teams (Kella Bibi and Amma Ernesta) and (Annonshata Bresson and Ahleen Antoine).

The boys’ team, under the guidance of coach Ruudy Joseph, is made up of Corey Toussaint, Adrian Cesar, Gavin Cafrine, Freddricko Young, Joey Pouponneau, Shaun Dodin, Daryl Lesperance, Francesco Joubert, Anthony Pierre, Dickson Suzette, Johanus Tirant and Joshua Belle.

Coached by Roy Dijoux, the girls’ team are made up of Jeanna Stravens, Fania Athanase, Shannon Rose, Lutra Elizabeth, Hope Joubert, Michella Barbier, Stephania Delorie, Ahleen Antoine, Jurenta Pierre, Kella Bibi, Amma Ernesta and Annonshata Bresson.

Elsia Vidot will be leading the delegation, while Derrick Andrew will be assisting the coaches.

They are expected back in the country on Sunday August 7.

Roland Duval