43rd National Inter-School Athletics Championships La Digue primary, Anse Royale secondary defend overall best titles |17 June 2019

ANSE ROYALE SECONDARY … Eighth-time winner

● STA replaces SIT as best professional centre

La Digue primary and Anse Royale secondary have retained their silverwares as best schools during the 43rd National Inter-School Athletics Championships held on Saturday at Stad Linite, while the Seychelles Tourism Academy is the new professional centre champion, dethroning the Seychelles Institute of Technology.

La Digue primary garnered a grand total of 160 points to win the title for a fourth year running, while a grand total of 280 points ensured the secondary overall best trophy once more made the trip to Anse Royale for the eighth consecutive year.

In the professional centres category, the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA) accumulated 132 points to dethrone last year’s winner the Seychelles Institute of Technology (SIT).

Saturday’s event, which featured 100 track and field events, was officially launched by Education and Human Resource Development Minister Jeanne Simeon, in the presence of Vice-President Vincent Meriton, Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, cabinet ministers and other high government officials.

It began with the traditional march past, which was followed by the championship hymn, before young athletes Eliza Cherry and Samuel Michaud-Payet, along with officials Jenny Bresson and Marie-André Cupidon took the oath.

In a foreword to the event, Minister Simeon noted that such championship is a critical priority and bedrock for sports development in the country, as it nurtures and develops the character and talent of our learners.

She explained that sports activities have been shown to build on children’s early experiences by the development of physical and motor capabilities to lead active, healthy lives, providing learners with the opportunities to have fun and to reinforce the desire to make physical activities a long-life habit.

Minister Simeon also added that sports should be our national passion, for it promotes unity, fair play, tolerance and love.

She further added that sport is also a powerful tool which enhances social cohesion and nation building.

To conclude, Minister Simeon commended the physical education teachers and team managers for their hard work and commitment in preparing the young athletes for the championships.

According to competition director, Wilfred Adrien, based on the weather condition on Saturday, the event went well as there were signs of enthusiasm and the willingness to compete and win among the athletes.

Commenting on the number of records improved on Saturday, Mr Adrien noted that it is normal not to have the same number each year as the athletes move up the age categories.

He, however, noted that there has been a lot of improvement in terms of personal best, and this, he described as a good and positive result.

He also expressed his appreciation for the good work done by all those involved in the championships.

In the primary school category, La Digue accumulated a grand total of 160 points to retain the best overall primary school cup after winning the girls’ under -10, boys’ under -10, boys’ under -12, girls’ under-14 and also the Most Gold Medals Cup for primary schools.

As for Anse Royale secondary school, a grand total of 280 points guaranteed them the best overall secondary school cup after clinching the boys’ under-16, girls’ under-16, boys’ under-18 and girls’ under-18 cups.

The STA’s final total of 132 points, after clinching the girls’ open cup was enough to put them on top, winning the best overall cup for post secondary.

Hall of Fame of the 43rd championships

President’s Cup – Fair Play (competitors)

Primary – Grand Anse Praslin

Secondary – Mont Fleuri

Professional Centre– Seychelles Business Studies Academy (SBSA)

President’s Cup – Fair Play (spectators)

Primary – Plaisance

Secondary – Perseverance

Professional Centre– Seychelles Business Studies Academy (SBSA)

Other Cups

Girls’ Under-8 – Anse Royale Primary (33 points)

Boys’ Under-8 – Anse Boileau Primary (30 points)

Girls’ Under-10 – La Digue Primary (39 points)

Boys’ Under-10 – La Digue Primary (28 points)

Girls’ Under-12 – Grand Anse Primary (46 points)

Boys’ Under-12 –La Digue and Grand Anse Praslin Primary (48 points)

Girls’ Under-14 – La Digue (34 points)

Boys’ Under-14 – Anse Boileau Secondary (52 points)

Girls’ Under-16 – Anse Royale Secondary (64 points)

Boys’ Under-16 – Pointe Larue Secondary (66 points)

Girls’ Under-18 – Anse Royale Secondary (95 points)

Boys’ Under-18 – Anse Royale Secondary (64 points)

Girls’ Open – Seychelles Tourism Academy (64 points)

Boys’ Open – Seychelles Institute of Technology (76 points)

Special Under-14 Primary Cup

Pointe Larue Primary – 6 points

Most Gold Medals Cup

Primary School – La Digue

Secondary School – Anse Royale

Professional Centre– Seychelles Institute of Technology

Best Overall School Cup

Primary – La Digue (160 points)

Secondary – Anse Royale (280 points)

Professional Centre– Seychelles Tourism Academy (132 points)

R. D.