Basketball |10 October 2023

The presentation ceremony

Cable & Wireless lends a hand in Seychelles’ basketball youth development

Local telecommunication company Cable & Wireless has brought its contribution towards the country’s basketball youth development through a donation of 200 mini-basketballs and 100 mini-boards with rings which will be distributed among primary schools around the country, including both public and private.

The donation – at an approximate cost of R94,000 – which was handed over to the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Family Affairs during a ceremony held yesterday at the Perseverance primary school, is in line with the company’s strategic priority of being a model corporate citizen and making meaningful contributions to the society and community.

It is also to ensure that each child gains the same access to physical education.

It was the manager for marketing, communications and loyalty at Cable & Wireless, Darrel Antat, who handed over the equipment to principal secretary for Youth and Sports, Ralph Jean-Louis, in the presence of Youth, Sports and Family Minister Marie-Celine Zialor; Francis Remie, director of the community, leisure and sports unit within the National Sports Council (NSC); deputy head teacher of the Perseverance primary school, Emeline Riaze; members of the school’s council; staff of Cable & Wireless and the NSC.

Handing over the equipment, Mr Antat noted that they had a successful turnout during the company’s 130th Family Fun Day on La Digue where a majority of kids turned up and were excited to be part of the basketball challenge.

He said the company’s aim is to promote an environment where there can be more development of young athletes in Seychelles, as Cable & Wireless believes that participation in sports can help curb social ills and create future opportunities for our students at an even earlier age.

Mr Antat added that one of its strategies is for Cable & Wireless to remain a good corporate citizen and help the community.

On his part, PS Jean-Louis said it brings joy to see the schools receiving such equipment, adding that this is an opportunity for the children to develop their talent, while the youth and sports department will always be there to support them and offer other opportunities to bring sports in the community.

On behalf of the Perseverance primary school – the first school to receive the equipment – Mrs Riaze thanked Cable & Wireless for its firm commitment in supporting education and community development, adding that the gesture represents more than sporting goods, but also symbolises the importance of investing in the future of our children.

She said the donation goes far beyond sports and also represents the dreams and aspirations of the students by equipping them with the necessary life skills which will serve them well in their future endeavours.

Representing the NSC, Mr Remie said the generous gesture will help them in their campaign to tackle obesity in schools and nurture young talents in the discipline of basketball.

He said obesity in schools is very alarming and following the results of the last Indian Ocean Islands Games (IOIG) we should start preparing today.

He said the equipment serve two purposes, firstly to develop basketball, and secondly to use basketball as exercise to tackle obesity in the schools.

“Through basketball the children will remain active and it will help them to grow healthy,” said Mr Remie, who is inviting other enterprises to join hands with the sports department in building a generation of more healthy children, hence having a healthier country tomorrow.

Neil Sirame/ Cable & Wireless press release