Seychelles Women and Sports Association (Swasa) – International Women’s Day activities |09 March 2023

Mrs Ward Horner addressing those recipients and guests

Women pioneers in local sports honoured

To date, it is a proven fact that many women have greatly contributed towards the progression and development of sports in Seychelles, taking up senior leadership roles, including active involvement in sports management, education programmes, at all levels within the field.

As part of the activities to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day – March 8 –beside the traditional educational fun run at the Roche Caïman fitness trail, the Seychelles Women and Sports Association (Swasa) honoured a group of women who held, and are still holding leadership positions within the local sports.

The event took place yesterday at the headquarters of the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (Socga), the Olympic House at Roche Caïman, in the presence of Socga president Antonio Gopal, secretary general Alain Alcindor, officials of the National Sports Council (NSC), as well as female representatives of various local sporting associations and federations.

It is worth noting that sports leadership and decision making in the Seychelles context has taken a completely different direction over the past 10 years, illustrating gender equality, which is to date still a major challenge in many countries and states.

Locally, many women have managed to prevail over these barriers, obtaining leadership roles, bringing changes within their sports disciplines, while also being role models for others.

This year’s Women’s Day activities was hosted under the theme “DigitALL: Innovation and technology for gender equality,” highlighting the role of innovative technology in promoting gender equality and meeting the health and developmental needs of women and girls.

Addressing those present, chairperson of the Swasa Delta Ward Horner noted that in the past 10 years, Seychelles has gone in the right direction in gender equality in sports, securing equal opportunities to lead, compared to other countries on the continent, as well as in the world.

“Other than having two female sports ministers, there has also been an increase in the number of women at the head of various local sporting associations and federations,” further added Mrs Ward Horner.

Mrs Ward Horner also commended the NSC and its staff for the efforts made in supporting the women in successfully fulfilling their tasks as leaders.

The first women pioneer to be honoured yesterday was former chief executive of the NSC Giovanna Rousseau who occupied the post from 2013 to 2018, after being the council’s marketing and promotion manager since 2012.

Ms Rousseau has led many Seychelles delegations at various major international and regional Games, including the 1985 and 2015 Indian Ocean Islands Games (IOIG) in Mauritius and Reunion respectively, as well as the 1992 Summer Olympics officially known as the Games of the XXV Olympiad held in Barcelona, Spain.

Ms Rousseau, who was member of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) for 13 years and technical official, served as the Seychelles Athletics Federation secretary general from 1987 to 2004 and was the Africa zone 7 (five countries) president from 1988 to 1993 and African Southern Region (14 countries) from 2003 to April 2007.

She was a Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) member from 1988 to April 2011 and also a member of the IAAF women’s committee representing Africa from August 1995 to August 2007, before being made a CAA life member.

Rose Marie Bastienne was the second women pioneer to be honoured yesterday for her contributions, mainly as a voluntary administrator. An employee of the Ministry of Education, precisely a head teacher, Mrs Bastienne found time to juggle between the two.

She always encouraged and motivated young girls to play an active role in sports, being alongside them as a coach, and referee, leading the girls’ teams to success.

Mrs Bastienne was the first chairperson of the Women and Sports in 2002, after attending two seminars in France and Canada, serving her two-year mandate with tact and discipline.

She also took charge of the women’s delegation at three IOIG, precisely in 1993 (Seychelles), 2003 (Mauritius) and 2007 (Madagascar).

Mrs Bastienne has also served as a member of the NSC board.

Well known for her service as focal point for the Seychelles Athletics Federation (SAF), Antoinette Athanase was the third recipient of the Swasa award yesterday for her long contribution towards local sports.

Since joining the physical education section as a clerk in 1981, and helping out with the annual Inter-School Athletics Championships, Ms Athanase developed a keen interest for athletics.

She later joined the SAF as an official, before being appointed as a member of the sport’s executive committee, and to date she is the chairperson of the sport’s officials’ committee.

Chairperson of Swasa from 2007 to 2009, Anne Marie Mathiot was also rewarded for her contributions towards local sports, especially netball where she started as a player, before serving as chairperson and manager.

Seychelles’ only Confédération Africaine de Football (Caf) instructor, commissioner and referee assessor Militna Marie was also rewarded yesterday for her contributions at national and continental level, precisely in the western region.

Six chairpersons presently heading local sporting associations and federations were also recognised for their hard work, dedication and commitment. They are Dorothy Isidore (Seychelles Netball Association), Jana Malbrook (Seychelles Basketball Federation), Sheila Bistoquet (Seychelles Canoeing Association), Liza Rene-Cosgrow (Seychelles Karting Association), Sandra Jeanne (Seychelles Judo Federation), and Fatime Kante (Seychelles Tennis Association).

Still at yesterday’s ceremony, two individuals were also recognised for their continuous support towards the women administrators.

They are the president of Socga Antonio Gopal and Hebetty Alcindor.

Also on yesterday’s programme to commemorate International Women’s Day was a fun run.

For the fun run which began with a warm-up session, those who took part were free to run, or walk.

The fun run was aimed at encouraging participation, friendship, solidarity and healthy lifestyles to women of all ages and fitness levels.

Text and photos Roland Duval