Special Olympics World Games Berlin 2023 |13 June 2023
Ms Onezime accepting the t-shirts from Captain Fonseka on behalf of Special Olympics Seychelles
Seychelles Rugby Union brings its support
Team Seychelles taking part in the 16th Special Olympics World Games scheduled for Berlin, Germany from June 17 to 25 will have additional official kit, after receiving a batch of t-shirts from the Seychelles Rugby Union.
It was chairman of the Seychelles Rugby Union (SRU) Captain Luke Fonseka who handed over the garments to board chairman of the Special Olympics Seychelles Raymonde Onezime, who is also the team’s assistant head of delegation at the Games.
Team Seychelles made up of Donelle Ernesta (girls athletics), Jean-Marc de Silva and Anil Quatre (boys athletics), Graham Jacques, Anielle Charlette – from La Digue, Peter Valentin, Maggie Estico – from Praslin, Aleandro Croisée, Suzie Sarakkya – from Mahe (bocce), and ) and Richard Sophola (power lifting), Erica Celeste (head coach), Olivier Nibourette, Vincent Cedras, Rency Balgobin, Jean Vardin (coaches), Ms Onezime (assistant head of delegation) and Dr Mickey Noël (medical) left the country yesterday.
Head of delegation Hellen Ernesta, who is also the Special Olympics national coordinator, will meet the team in Germany, having left earlier for administrative purposes.
Captain Fonseka noted that the SRU is a keen supporter of all sports in Seychelles and they are excited and proud to collaborate with more sporting disciplines in the future.
He added that it is important for the union for all sporting federations and associations to flourish as this will create a healthy environment for Seychelles, especially in achieving the goal to bring home an Olympic medal.
On behalf of Special Olympics Seychelles, Ms Onezime thanked the SRU for the support, adding that they will be going to Berlin looking great wearing the t-shirts, and that hopefully the team can put up a great performance.
For Seychelles representatives at World Games, the country received 10 quotas, including six bocce players (three males and three females), three track and field athletes(two male and one female), along with one power lifter.
For bocce, a pair have been picked from each of the three main islands, while for athletics, the names of all first-place finishers in the various events were put in a bag, where three were names picked.
The names of male and female athletes’ names were put into different bags for a fair selection process.
Compiled by Roland Duval