Minister calls for national unity in preparing for games
10.09.2009
With two years to go before the Indian Ocean Island Games (IOIG) in Seychelles, Minister Vincent Meriton has called for national unity and solidarity in preparing for the event.
Speaking in the National Assembly as it resumed for its third term on Tuesday, the Minister for Community Development, Youth, Sports and Culture also stressed the importance of everyone taking their responsibility and playing their role well for the games in August 2011 to be a success.
He said there is a great deal of work to be done before the games, which will require the active involvement of each one of us.
“Our success in organising the games is success for Seychelles and the image of Seychellois sportsmen and women,” he said in a declaration to the assembly.
Mr Meriton stressed that the commitment a country makes to host such an event is an obligation for that country. He said it is very important not to let down the large number of young athletes from countries of our region who are training hard for this great youth gathering.
After a detailed overview of the IOIG, which this year celebrates its 30th anniversary, he reviewed the work carried out since Seychelles’ commitment to organise the eighth games was reconfirmed on July 2 by the Conseil International des Jeux.
He said at present members of the games commissariat are being decided on, and nominations for each of the 16 areas concerned with the athletes’ welfare, such as food, medical supplies, transport and infrastructure, to name a few, will be made soon.
Mr Meriton noted that the seven-member fundraising committee announced recently to raise R41 million for the games is already hard at work.
To ensure that those chosen to represent Seychelles at the games get the best training and the necessary supervision and follow-up, the minister said he is setting up a national sports technical support committee to help the various federations.
As for mobilising the population for the event, Mr Meriton said most of us still have vivid memories of the 1993 games, which Seychelles hosted. The whole nation rallied to make the games a success, which was very much appreciated by the various delegations.
He stressed that making the 2011 games a success will once again call for the contribution and active involvement of everyone in a national event that unites us all.
He said special attention is being given to a local cultural dimension to the games, and cultural groups in the districts are being mobilised with this in mind.
Talking about the implications of the games for Seychelles, Mr Meriton said the rewards will be great and he is calling on everyone to seek ways to make a positive contribution and at the same time derive as much benefit from the event as possible.