11th Indian Ocean Islands Games |20 July 2023

Minister Zialor addressing the team managers at Tuesday’s meeting (Photos; Roland Duval)

‘Discipline is non-negotiable’

• Minister Zialor urges leaders to take appropriate measures if needed

“Discipline is non-negotiable, and if there is no discipline and team spirit within Team Seychelles, we might as well not go to Madagascar for the 11th Indian Ocean Islands Games,” Minister for Youth, Sports and Family Marie-Celine Zialor has said.

She made the comment during a meeting with team leaders and managers of the different sporting disciplines in which Seychelles will be taking part at the Games scheduled for August 25 to September 3.

The meeting which was attended by principal secretary for youth and sports Ralph Jean-Louis and chief executive of the National Sports Council (NSC) Marc Arissol was the opportunity for the leaders and managers to get acquainted to the various guidelines set to be applied before, during and after the Indian Ocean Islands Games (IOIG), including the code of conduct, and also to get introduced to the different personnel who will be having leadership roles at senior level within the Seychelles delegation.

Alain Alcindor has been given the task of head of delegation, while Bernard Denis will be the chef de mission.

The men’s delegation will be under the headship of Shihan Phillip Moustache, while Delta Horner will be in charge of the women’s delegation.

Also present were some members of the Games’ local secretariat, headed by Mr Arissol (Mr Alcindor, Ruudy Joseph, Steve Hoareau, Mr Denis, Jennifer Bonne, Gordon Boodna, Dominic Pillay, Lisette Nolin, Maria Dailoo and Gilly Jean).

Being her first IOIG since taking office in October 2020, Minister Zialor said she has witnessed various conflicts involving athletes, coaches and managers when it comes to overseas Games and competitions.

This, she said, is mostly based on conflict of interests whereby clubs are at times unhappy about final selections, especially when some athletes are not selected.

Minister Zialor said she will make her personal commitment to, at least once, visit all training sites to have brief interactions with the athletes, bringing her support, while listening to their concerns.

The existing conflicts within the local sporting community, Minister Zialor said, is something that should be eliminated, and it is up to those in charge to deal with the situations accordingly.

She said those responsible or in charge should take the lead through appropriate actions to remedy any unhealthy situation which, if not dealt with, will affect the whole team, and Seychelles as country, especially since the participation cost is being absorbed by tax payers.

Minister Zialor noted that anyone who thinks he/she is a super star, showing no sign of respect and discipline should not be part of the team, and should be left behind, urging those involved to bring forward evidence, whereby they will receive the full backing of the higher authority.

“We will rather leave a superstar behind, and take along a disciplined athlete,” said the sports minister, adding that if an athlete does not behave appropriately while here, there is no chance that he or she will behave differently at the Games, therefore, he/she should be left behind.

She said, present athletes are ambassadors to the upcoming generation of sportspersons.

Roland Duval