The Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade had a special welcome for all three of its staff who participated in the 11th edition of the Indian Ocean Islands Games, held between 25th August and 3rd September, in Madagascar.
Representatives of the Ministry were at the international airport for each of the three athletes, welcoming them with a shield and a bouquet.
On Tuesday morning, Minister Naadir Hassan and Comptroller General, Ms. Astride Tamatave welcomed our two volleyball players, Angelique Adeline (gold medallist) and Rama Lesperance at the arrival lounge at the airport.
Angelique said the whole women’s volleyball team were determined to defend their title, won at the last IOIG in Mauritius in 2019.
“In the final against Madagascar, we were tightly marked, but we knew a nation was relying on us to bring the gold medal home, and we knew we had to do it, not only for ourselves, but for our country.’
Angelique is a two-time winner of the IOIG gold medal, she was part of the team that won in 2019. She is a Senior Trade Officer at the Department of Trade.
For Rama, it was the first time he got called up for the Seychelles men’s volleyball team. He described his participation as ‘quite an experience’, saying though the team did not win a medal ‘they are young, and if they stay together, at the next IOIG, they will be a force’.
Rama works as a Senior Policy Analyst in the Financial Services Development Division.
On Wednesday afternoon, the last of our staff, boxer Dasheil Fanchette made his way back on his home soil and was welcomed by Executive Director in the office of Minister Hassan, Ms. Cillia Mangroo and Comptroller General, Ms. Astride Tamatave, at the airport.
The 20-year-old pugilist, shocked the nation, when in the final he defeated his Mauritian opponent to clinch the gold medal, on his first outing at the IOI Games.
Dasheil is an Account Technician at the Treasury Division.
To note, before they headed to the games, staff of the Ministry came together to generously donate towards their stay in Madagascar.
The Ministry of Finance, National Planning and Trade says thank you to all three athletes for accepting the honour to represent Seychelles and wishes them luck in their future sporting outings. You have our support.