Medallists rewarded

Seychellois medallists at the recent 8th Indian Ocean Island Games were rewarded during yesterday’s Night of Champions at the International Conference Centre when a sum of R2,256,000 was disbursed.

President James Michel was the guest of honour on the night and also presented footballer Jones Joubert with the team’s monetary rewards for the gold medal won on a penalty shootout against Reunion.

Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vincent Meriton said “Seychellois athletes reaped the rewards of their hard work during the Games” and the “successful organisation proved that Seychelles can achieve big when we unite our efforts.”

He thanked President Michel for insisting on Seychelles hosting the 8th Games and all sponsors for their valuable contributions.

“The budget of R42 million is a colossal amount. Some were even skeptical that we would not make it. We have achieved the target. I thank all our sponsors – big and small,” said Minister Meriton.

Seychelles won a record-breaking 57 gold medals, 24 silver and 37 bronze for a grand total of 118 in the 12 sporting disciplines in the Games which ran from August 5-14.

The 57 gold-medal haul beat the previous high of 43 won in Mauritius in 2003. It helped Seychelles finish an unprecedented second behind Reunion (58 gold medals) in the final medals standings at the end of the Games.

Each gold medallist won R15,000, silver medallist R6,000 and bronze medallist R3,000. Record breakers and gold medallists were also rewarded by sponsors.

Gold-medal winning coaches – regardless of the number of gold their athletes won during the Games – received R15,000 while their assistants got R10,000.

In a bid to spur the local athletes to achieve their best at the Games, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports increased the prize-money from R7,500 (gold), R5,000 (silver) and R2,500 (bronze) prior to the start of the Games.

Forrás: www.nation.sc