Seychelles Offers SCR 375,000 in Medal Cash Rewards to Commonwealth Games Athletes

VICTORIA, Seychelles — Team Seychelles will carry more than the national flag to Glasgow next week. A fresh government cash incentive scheme, announced by President Patrick Herminie on Thursday, offers SCR 150,000 for a Commonwealth Games gold medal, SCR 100,000 for silver and SCR 75,000 for bronze at the 2026 Games in Scotland.

The announcement came at an official send-off at State House attended by Vice President Sebastien Pillay, Minister for Youth and Sports Kalsey Belle, and senior sports officials. The 32-member delegation departs for Glasgow on 20 July 2026.

It is the first medal-reward structure of its kind tied to a major international sporting event from the new Herminie administration, and the first publicly announced medal-reward scheme from any Seychellois government in recent memory. The maximum payout, if the team returns one of each colour, totals SCR 325,000; the ceiling on any single medal is SCR 150,000 for gold.

Speaking to the athletes at the ceremony, the President framed Glasgow as both competition and ambassadorial duty. The 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow brings together athletes from 74 nations and territories. President of the Seychelles Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association (SOCGA) Alain Alcindor reminded the delegation that representing Seychelles is both a privilege and a responsibility, urging them to wear the national colours with pride and to remember they carry the hopes of the Seychellois people.

Glasgow 2026 will be Seychelles’ tenth Commonwealth Games appearance since its debut in 1990. Across that span, the country has won three silver and four bronze medals — no gold. The new incentive structure explicitly targets the unclaimed prize: a first-ever Seychellois Commonwealth Games gold.

Minister for Youth and Sports Ms Kalsey Belle linked the Glasgow campaign to the country’s 50th anniversary of Independence, framing it as a national statement that “greatness is measured not by size but by the spirit of its people.” She thanked the coaches, officials, medical personnel and support staff for their commitment, and encouraged the athletes to compete with courage, integrity and respect while proudly representing every Seychellois.

At the ceremony, President Herminie presented the National Flag to Team Seychelles’ flag bearer Natasha Chetty, while Minister Belle formally presented the Commonwealth Games King’s Baton Relay baton to Adam Moncherry, who will serve as Seychelles’ King’s Baton Relay ambassador at the Games. Commemorative tokens were also presented by SOCGA President Alain Alcindor to President Herminie, Minister Belle and National Sports Council Chief Executive Officer Mario Pragassen in recognition of their support for sport and Team Seychelles.

The send-off drew explicit inspiration from former boxing champion Rival Cadeau, whom the President cited as an example of the resilience and excellence that have shaped Seychelles’ sporting history. He urged Team Seychelles to remain focused in their preparations and throughout the competition, and to raise the Seychellois flag with pride.

Sources cited:
[State House Seychelles — Government backs Team Seychelles with medal rewards ahead of Commonwealth Games (16 July 2026)] [Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games — host city and dates] [Commonwealth Games Federation]

Source: State House Seychelles, 16 July 2026