11th Indian Ocean Islands Games |24 August 2023

The athletes upon their arrival in Madagascar yesterday (Photo: Roland Duval)

First of three Team Seychelles’ contingent arrives safely in Madagascar

The first batch of local athletes for the 11th Indian Ocean Islands Games arrived in Madagascar yesterday onboard one of the three chartered flights facilitated by national carrier Air Seychelles.

First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, along with Minister for Youth, Sports and Family Marie-Celine Zialor made the trip with the athletes, bringing moral support for regional multi-sports event for athletes representing the National Olympic Committees of Indian Ocean island nations.

Out of the 19 sporting disciplines on the programme, Seychelles will be represented in 15.

The second and third batches of local athletes will leave for Madagascar today on two more Air Seychelles chartered flights.

The national football selection will be the first team to defend the Seychelles’ colours at the Games this afternoon when they will play hosts Madagascar in a group A match at the Elgeco Plus Stadium.

The other team drawn in group A are Mauritius, while group B is made up of Reunion, the Comoros, and Mayotte.

The official opening ceremony of the 11th Games is scheduled for tomorrow at the Mahamasina stadium in Antananarivo.

President Wavel Ramkalawan, along with other government officials are expected to be among the guests of honour at the opening ceremony, in which swimmer Felicity Passon will be Seychelles’ flag bearer.

It is worth noting that beyond being just a regular competition, the IOIG also offers a valuable chance to create strong connections between the islands and display their cultural riches.

Roland Duval