Olympic Solidarity |07 June 2023

Accompanied by young canoeists, SCA secretary Belinda Valmont accepts part of the equipment from Socga president Antonio Gopal (Photo: Roland Duval)

Socga helps canoeing, volleyball, karate and chess with equipment

As part of its commitment and mission to support local sporting associations and federations, the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association has once again lent a hand in improving the standards through quality equipment towards four sports governing body, through its annual grant under the Olympic Solidarity.

The four beneficiaries – Seychelles Karate Federation (SKF), Seychelles Canoeing Association (SCA), Seychelles Volleyball Federation (SVF) and Seychelles Chess Federation (SCF) – received their equipment yesterday from the president of the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (Socga) Antonio Gopal, during a ceremony held at the Olympic House, Roche Caïman in the presence of secretary general Alain Alcindor, alongside executive committee members.

Accepting the equipment – sheen and instep guards, chest and rib guards, gloves, gum shields, groin protector (cups), and gis – SKF chairman, Shihan Donald Celestine, noted that they have come at an opportune time as the karatekas are preparing for the 11th Indian Ocean Islands Games, scheduled to take place in Madagascar from August 23 to September 3.

He said the equipment are compulsory during competitions, adding that a huge weight has come off the shoulder of the SKF.

On behalf of the SCA, secretary Belinda Valmont accepted the equipment which include a range of spare parts for K1 and mini kayak.

These include ropes, rudders, number plates and footrests, among others.

Miss Valmont said some of the canoes are almost eight years old, and need thorough maintenance, while being built for lakes, the accessories get easily corroded by sea water.

She thanked Socga for the support which she said will boost K1 progress, as well as youth development.

President of the SVF, Ronald Wong, was presented with a GoPro HERO 11 camera which will be used to record matches.

Mr Wong said despite being small, the camera is a valuable tool for the SVF since it will allow them to record matches and share with coaches for post-mortems and also future game plans.

Lastly, Mr Gopal presented chess board and tournament-standard clocks to chairman Benjamin Hoareau on behalf of the SCF.

Mr Hoareau said the equipment will be a boost to the dissemination programme, bringing chess to all the districts around the country.

On behalf of Socga, Mr Gopal pledged the association’s continuous support towards local sports, especially in youth development, thus paving the way for the country’s future sports’ avenues.

Roland Duval