Judo |06 February 2023

SANDRA JEANNE … Seychelles Judo Federation chairperson

Sandra Jeanne elected new local judo head

Sandra Jeanne, formerly Mathiot, is the new chairperson of the Seychelles Judo Federation, replacing Terrence Barbé who passed away on December 31, last year.

She was elected last weekend during the federation’s annual general meeting (AGM).

A former Seychelles international athlete, Jeanne is presently a coach with the Anse Etoile-based Etoile Judo Club.

She will be assisted by Ravi Valmont who is the vice-chairman, along with secretary general Aselma Pilate and treasurer Karen Vital.

The ordinary members are Francis Labrosse, Henry Moustache, Marie-Annette Vidot, Brigitte Cesar and Maxime Payet.

Speaking to Sports NATION following her appointment, Mrs Jeanne, who is not new to judo administrative work, having served on various previous executive committees as secretary, treasurer and ordinary member, said as chairperson she will adopt a collaborative approach, involving the whole committee, along with all those involved in local judo, prior to any decision making.

She explained that one of their top priorities remains the much-awaited Olympic medal, since she feels that judo has the potential to achieve the feat as local judokas have in the past qualified to take part in previous Games, while there are also athletes who are already training under the Olympic programme.

She added that they also want to win a first gold medal at the Indian Ocean Islands Games.

“Returning judo to its initial elite position among local sports, thus giving it back its deserved status is also another target of the new executive committee,” added Mrs Jeanne who further noted that such task will begin with younger athletes, precisely in the cadet group who are presently excelling, and well active.

Officiating is also another target, whereby necessary work will be carried out with local officials, as well as all those who wish to take up officiating, so that they reach the required level and standard of the international judo body, allowing them to practice their trade at international level.

During the federation’s last AGM in 2021, the late Mr Barbé was controversially elected into the position, along with only three executive committee members, thus, failing to come up with a complete executive committee.

Mr Barbé who at the time was the director for sports management and development within the National Sports Council (NSC) won the election after contesting as a member of the Baie Ste Anne Judo Club.

He replaced Mervin Joubert who had been in the post for the past three years with only Terry Mothé (referee director), Brigitte Cesar (media and communication – replacing Kenneth Pointe) and Telsia King (discipline representative) as associates.

The posts of 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) had remained vacant.

Roland Duval