11th Indian Ocean Islands Games |01 September 2023

Mrs Robert

Loyal fans follow Team Seychelles at consecutive Games

While most people think of spending their holidays in Dubai, shopping, or visiting families abroad, a group of people decided to follow Team Seychelles to Madagascar, bringing extra support to the athletes. And they have done that at their own freewill and expenses.

Sports NATION caught up with two of them at the Palas des Sports of Mahamasina yesterday, during the men’s volleyball semifinal match between Seychelles and Madagascar.

Soutane Robert who comes from a family of athletes, and former boxer Selwyn Medor who along with their family members, made it to 10th Games in Mauritius shared with us the reason behind their decision to attend yet another Indian Ocean Islands Games.

Firstly, Mrs Robert explained that it is her love for sports, especially track and field that triggered the decision four years ago, and again this year.

“It is not only track and field, but we have been to mostly all the venues where local athletes are competing, especially boxing,” said Mrs Robert who added that they are on the road from early morning till late at night, hopping all the sporting venues.

“We have brought a lot of support to the athletes who later told us that they were very happy and appreciative of our boost,” Mrs Robert added, noting that God-willing, they will be onboard a plane to the Comoros to bring their support for a third time.

As for Mr Medor, he explained that he has been a sports fanatic all his life. Other than being a boxer, he has also played and managed football, and actively takes part in the Eco-friendly marathons, and walks on nature trails hosted by the National Sports Council (NSC).

The former boxer explained that, along with his wife Josianne, even if they had visited Mauritius on several occasions before, they decided to make another trip during the 10th Games to bring their support.

“This year, we said why not kill two birds with one stone by getting the chance to visit a new country, while at the same time enjoy the Games and cheer for Team Seychelles,” explained Mr Medor who further noted that they had been discouraged to come to Madagascar by people who told them only negative things about the country.

Despite everything, the Medor couple joined by other loyal fans of Team Seychelles decided to book their trip to Madagascar, for the sole purpose of enjoying the Games, while discovering a new country.

Like Mrs Robert, Mr Medor added that God-willing, he will be in Moroni, the Comoros, in 2027.

Roland Duval