Four sports administrators pass away within six days |14 December 2023

Mr Lauro

The local sports community is mourning the loss of four sports administrators – Frank Aglaé, Marie-Andrée Cupidon, Cedric Thomas and Giancarlo Lauro – who left this world in the space of just six days.

Their demise is a great loss to their families and has also robbed Seychelles sports of their invaluable services and contributions.

A match commissioner with the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) for over 20 years, Frank Aglaé, who was a footballer, referee, referee’s instructor, and member of the referees’ technical committee before becoming a match commissioner, was found dead in the sea at Fairyland last Saturday.

The day before, Friday December 8, Marie-Andrée Cupidon passed away at the Seychelles Hospital.

Born Moumou, Mrs Cupidon was a former track and field athlete with the Anse Royale team in the 1980s. After putting an end to her career, she took up track and field officiating.

A former employee of Sacos, Mrs Cupidon was born on July 31, 1963 and her funeral ceremony will take place today at 10am at the Surya Memorial Hall followed by cremation.

Cedric Thomas was the manager of the Grand Anse Mahé judo club before serving as member and chairman of the Seychelles Judo Federation (SJF) in the mid-2000s and accompanied the Seychelles judo team to the Olympic Games in Athens, Greece in 2004.

Thomas, who was born on April 20, 1963, died on Tuesday December 12, 2023.

He was a former employee of Constance Ephelia Seychelles.

On Wednesday December 6, Giancarlo Lauro left this world, less than a month after celebrating his 83rd birthday on November 16.

A businessman and former Rotary Club chairman, Mr Lauro was born in Italy on November 16, 1940 and came to Seychelles over 40 years ago.

Mr Lauro was involved with local women’s basketball club Anse Etoile Stars and the country’s women’s national team for a very long time. He also loved tennis and served as the Seychelles Tennis Association’s (STA) chairman and secretary.

Current STA chairperson, Fatime Kanté, has described him as a “cherished member of the STA”.

His daughter Gloria Lauro also played tennis.

Mr Lauro’s body will lie at the Surya Memorial Hall at 11.30am on Monday December 18 followed by funeral service at 2pm at the Ste Thérèse Church, Plaisance and burial at the Mont Fleuri cemetery.

Gerard Govinden