Eight Records Fall as Praslin Secondary Retains Inter-School Athletics Title

Praslin secondary school defended its national inter-school athletics title at the weekend, anchoring a record-breaking 46th edition of the championships at Stad Linite, with eight championship marks falling in a single day and a new financial incentive scheme introduced for athletes who set new standards.

The school, which also won in 2022, took the secondary school cup for the second year running, while Perseverance primary school claimed the primary school title, replacing last year’s winners La Digue. The Seychelles Police Academy topped the professional centre category, taking the President’s Cup from President Patrick Herminie. La Digue School won the Best Small School prize. Education minister David Pierre officially opened the event.

The championships brought more than 1,100 young athletes from Mahé, Praslin and La Digue, including students from professional centres, competing in the primary, secondary and post-secondary categories. The competition had been suspended in 2023 and 2024 for maintenance work on the national stadium and returned this year with an expanded programme. The theme song, “Lespri i byen determinen,” was performed by the athletes, who were led onto the track by flag bearers Zoe Esther and Nathan Athanase of Praslin secondary.

Eight championship records were broken on the day, up from one at the 45th edition, a sharp rise that officials partly credited to a new financial reward scheme announced by the Ministry of Education. Minister Pierre, who opened the event, said the rewards were intended to encourage athletes to set ambitious goals, push beyond their limits and pursue their sporting aspirations with dedication and purpose. The initiative, he argued, is an investment in youth development and sporting excellence.

The records spanned four age groups and three event families. Sameerah Albert, named most valuable female primary athlete, opened the record book in the girls’ under-12 mini hurdles, clocking 10.49 seconds to erase a mark that had stood since 2008. Joaquim Nourrice of Seychelles Business Studies Academy then took down the under-16 boys’ 100m record, running 11.30 to replace the previous best of 11.52 set by Stevio Legaie of Pointe Larue secondary. Lehandro Labiche of Praslin secondary, the most valuable male secondary athlete, jumped 6.48m in the under-16 boys’ long jump, breaking Nourrice’s existing mark of 6.36m. Yannick Mounac of the SPA set a new men’s open 1500m time of 4:24, replacing a record that had stood since Daryl Hobonne set it while at the Seychelles Tourism Academy. Saeed Euphrasie cleared 1.91m in the men’s open long jump, removing one of the oldest records in the championship book, a 1.81m mark set in 2008 by the late Andrew Barbé of SIT.

The female open events also produced three new marks. Leah Pool of SBSA, the most valuable female secondary athlete alongside Kadija Mellon of Anse Royale, ran 25.63 seconds in the 200m, lowering the previous 26.31 set by Tessy Bristol of SIT. Pool returned later in the day as part of the SBSA 4x100m relay team that broke the 53.20 championship mark with a 50.50 run. The La Digue Primary School’s under-10 girls 5x80m relay team also set a new standard, clocking 1:02.89 to replace their previous 1:03.14.

The strongest individual performers of the day were Sameerah Albert and Tyron Arnephy of Perseverance in the primary school category, Dorianne Bristol of SBSA and Odysius Melanie of SMA in the professional centres, and Kadija Mellon of Anse Royale alongside Lehandro Labiche of Praslin in the secondary school category. The Fair Play President’s Cup went to Anse Aux Pins primary, Anse Royale secondary, and SPA in the professional centre category.

The Ministry of Education said the championships sat at the heart of a wider effort to strengthen school sport, with minister Pierre pointing to sport’s role in promoting healthy lifestyles, building character and identifying future national representatives. Athletes and officials took the oath of allegiance before the first race. The next edition of the championships will be held in 2027.

Source: SN

Photo: A.Savin, FAL (Free Art License 1.3), via Wikimedia Commons.