Swimming: Primary schools gala |12 August 2023

End of the boys’ 25m freestyle race (Photo: Neil Sirame)

Bel Eau school emerges as winner

The Roche Caïman swimming pools on Thursday hosted a swimming gala, gathering young swimmers from seven primary schools from all around Mahe.

The swimming gala which brought together pupils from the Anse Boileau, Grand Anse Mahe, Port Glaud, La Retraite, Persévérance, Bel Eau, and Pointe Larue primary schools was organised by a group of swimming instructors from the Ministry of Education.

On the programme were events such as 5m, 10m, and 25m freestyle, along with 25m breaststroke, swim through a hoop, picking up a ring, and team relay.

Bel Eau primary school emerged as the winner of the first swimming competition with an overall score of 183, followed by the Persévérance primary school in second position with 162 points.

Pointe Larue primary school finished third overall with a score of 146 points.

Persévérance primary school was awarded with the trophy for best boys, while Bel Eau primary school received the best performance trophy for girls.  

Speaking to Sports NATION, swimming instructor Estella Bau said the swimming gala is an event that will take place each school term whereby those who are attending swimming classes will have the chance to show their ability to their parents and also to demonstrate what they have learned in training.

 “The idea to host the event was brought forward by the instructors who work with the kids, both in the pool and the sea, and this competition allows them to show their friends, parents, teachers what they have learned during the term,” said Mrs Bau. 

She noted that they are anticipating more schools to take part in the next competition as they are planning to host the event on a termly basis for the schools on the swimming programme.

Mrs Bau said the instructors run swimming development programmes for state schools to encourage the children to learn to swim.

She thanked the Ministry of Education for the help in organising the event, the National Sports Council (NSC) for providing them with the facility, and other sponsors like Laxmanbhai and the parents for attending the first swimming gala and supporting the children.

Head teacher of Bel Eau primary school Jane Laurette said the victory showed the efforts made by her pupils during practice throughout the term.

“Today we came to compete with the other schools and the pupils showed their devotion to be the overall best and showed that they have learned something from their swimming classes,” said Ms Laurette.

She said students were fully engaged in the competition, displaying passion and talent.

“They all wanted to swim and some showed good potential and we need to continue to push them forward,” said Ms Laurette who also praised the swimming development programme which provides the young ones with basic skills.

“Even though we are an island state not all children can swim and this programme helps with that,” she added.

Neil Sirame