Sports Awards – Athletes Share Their Stories

Sports Awards – Athletes Share Their Stories in Candid Interviews

In a candid glimpse behind the scenes of the Sports Awards, we delve into some interviews with athletes, offering their perspective on their journeys, triumphs, and challenges.

“Winning Sportswoman of the Year would be a victory for the entire volleyball community” – Angelique Adeline

What does it mean to you, to be in the top 5?

Angelique: It’s a tremendous honour to be recognised among the top five athletes in Seychelles, and I believe my teammates should also share this privilege, considering volleyball’s nature as a team sport. It’s a great source of pride to represent volleyball in this elite group, especially since it’s the only team sport to have made it to the top five for this sports award. Having two nominees from volleyball in the top five is a significant achievement for our sport, despite not always having the same opportunities as individual or other team sports.

What do you think are your chances of winning?

Angelique: As a collective sport, our chances of winning may be viewed as minimal. However, winning Sportswoman of the Year would be a victory for the entire volleyball community, highlighting the recognition of our hard work and commitment to the sport. We leave it in the hands of the judges and hope for the best.

If not you, then who do you think will win?

Angelique: All the nominees deserve to win, and each one has a chance to take home the title. It’s a testament to their hard work and dedication to their respective sports.

For the first time this year, there is a people’s choice award. What are your thoughts about it?

Angelique: The people’s choice award adds an extra layer of recognition and involvement from the community. It’s great to see a way for fans and supporters to have an impact on the awards.

Finally, how will you describe your 2023, in terms of your performances?

Angelique: 2023 has been a winning year for me and my team mates. We have won all the national competitions and maintaining an unbeaten record is truly impressive. Also, securing 5th position in the Indian Ocean Club Champion in our first participation as the City Ladies Volleyball Club is a testament to our skills and dedication for the sport. Additionally, contributing towards defending the gold medal at the IOIG in Madagascar is a fantastic accomplishment.

“In Seychelles we do sport on a voluntary basis, so anything to give sports women and men recognition is always a great thing” – Maya Biong

What does it mean for you to be amongst the top 5? 

Maya: Firstly, it means a victory for the volleyball entourage, as the sport is collective and the efforts of everyone is needed, from our clubs, to the national team, to the management and to the players who made this possible. For me personally, it’s a reward for my family, who has always been supportive of me. To my partner and our kids who have looked after our baby girl, who was only four months old when I went back to training in February.  

What do you think are your chances of winning? 

Maya: As I am the second best volleyball player, of course I will not win the title. But it is already a big and an honour for me to be amongst the top 5.  

If not you, then who do you think will win? 

Maya: I would want Angelique Adeline to win. Not only because we play the same sport, but also because team sports are rarely recognized when it comes to the awards. We also have a great history in the IOIG, where we are the only team sport in the country to have been in seven consecutive IOIG finals and won six of them. But it would also be nice to see Masturah Shad-Faure make history for her sport as karate is the only sport in this top 5 that has yet to win the title.  

For the first time this year, there is a people’s choice award. What are your thoughts about it? 

Maya: In Seychelles we do sport on a voluntary basis, so anything to give sports women and men recognition is always a great thing.  

Finally, how will you describe your performances in 2023? 

Maya: The highlight of the year for me would be the gold medal we won in the IOIG, where with the help of all my teammates, we were able to defend our title.  And with my club Cascade, we participated in all the local tournaments, and despite not winning a local title, we showed up and always gave our best and I always believe victory is also in giving your best. 

“I believe that whoever is meant to win, would be the most deserving” – Richard Ah-Weng

What does it mean to you, to have selected among the top five athletes of 2023? 

Richard: It’s is an unexpected honour to have been chosen to be in top five amongst all these other well-known athletes. I am very happy to say the least. This is a testimony of what hard work, perseverance, discipline, dedication, and having dreams can bring you.  

What do you think are your chances of winning? 

Richard: I believe that whoever is meant to win, would be the most deserving, using the criteria of the people who are responsible for choosing Seychelles Sports man of the year and I respect the decision to be made. I also would like to wish the best of luck to the other athletes.  

For the first time this year, there is a people’s choice award. What are your thoughts about it? 

Richard: In my opinion, giving the people of Seychelles a choice to vote is long awaited, as the people should also have a voice and right to choose their favourite athlete. 

How will you describe your performance in 2023? 

Richard: The year 2023 for me was full of hard training, perseverance, dedication and sacrifices to make my dream of competing in the 1st Kyokushinryu World tournament become a reality. Having fought for the first time at this level with the best fighters from 34 different countries, has not only been a dream come true, but has also taught me valuable lessons for future tournaments. Above all else, I was able to proudly hold my Seychelles flag high and show other countries what we are made of. 

“I think I am the favourite to win” – Keddy Agnes

How do you feel now that you are once again among the top five athletes? 

Keddy: Well, for me to be in the top five it means a lot, as I have performed quite well. I did not train much in 2022, due to the Covid-19 pandemic and work commitments, but in 2023 I managed to train well and had some good performances, especially at the African continent level. So, we shall see what happens.  

What would you say are your chance of winning the top prize? 

Keddy: Looking at the top five, I think I have  a great chance to win, especially when looking at my results. So, I think I am the favourite to win, but it depends on selection committee and the performance of the other athletes.  

For the time, there will a be a people’s choice awards this year. What are your thoughts about this? 

Keddy: For the time, having a people’s choice, I can see that a lot of people are already voting for me and we shall see. But I want to thank everyone voting for me and we will see on the night what happens, even if I will not be here.  

How would you describe your performances in 2023? 

Keddy: In 2023, I achieved a lot and sacrificed myself. I sort of put my work to side and concentrated on training, although there has been some difficulties, such as when I went to the African Championship, I was supposed to get some money for that, but up till now I have received it. These are concerning, but my performance was good and I am looking forward to what I can do this year.  

“Every nominee worked hard and the did their best” – Masturah Shah-Faure

What does it mean to you, to be among the top five?

Masturah: It’s always an honour to represent the sport I love, but especially to represent my Instructor and my school and the Seychelles Karate Federation.

What do you think are your chances of winning?

Masturah: I go with the flow of things, and honestly, there are more impressive results than mine, and that’s okay.

If not you, then who do you think will win?

Masturah: I think that Natasha and Felicity were both amazing last year, and both deserving. However, I’m certain that every nominee worked hard and did their best, and I wish them all good luck.

For the first time this year, there is a people’s choice award. What are your thoughts about it?

Masturah: I think it’s a great initiative and plus to the awards. The people’s voices should be heard.

Finally, how will you describe your performances in 2023?

Masturah: It wasn’t my best year, but it’s been a great comeback after the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on the Northern Tang Soo Do Studio and our training. So, step by step! 

“it is a great feeling to be selected” – Dominic Dugasse

What does it mean to you to be in the top five? 

Dominic: For me to be selected in the top five, is a big thing for me, because after all the years that I have been doing this sports, it is a great feeling to be selected. 

What do you think are your chances of winning? 

Dominic: Well, I do not really think I have a chance to win, but I will be satisfied with being second, third or fourth.  

If not you, then who do you think will win? 

Dominic: If not me, then I think the favourite amongst these five win could be Nantenaina or Keddy. I will be maybe second or third.  

For the first time this year, there is a people’s choice award. What are your thoughts about it? 

Dominic: I think this is a good idea, as it will give the public a chance to vote. I think it will also show us what the people who follow and watch sports are thinking and what they themselves think of our performances.  

Finally, how will you describe your performances in 2023.  

Dominic: 2023 did not go the way I wanted, as had an injury. I tried my best to give a good performance at the IOIG, but I was not on the level I wanted to be at. So, I think in all, 2023 went quite well, especially since I got selected among the five. Whatever god gave me in 2023, I am happy with it. 

“With more support and good management, there would have been even better performances coming from me” – Nantenaina Finesse

What does it mean for you to be selected among the top five finalists? 

Nantenaina: Being in the top five best athlete in my country means a lot to me, my family and my federation . We are all in love with the result!                             

What do you think are your chances of winning the top prize? 

Nantenaina: Winning it or not, at the end of the day we are all winners, since we have already been selected in the top five.  I am just happy to been rewarded for representing our country as an ambassador of Sports and be respected for our results.                                           

If not yourself, then who do you think is the favourite to win? 

Nantenaina: I will leave that decision in the hands of the jury. They know better.                                           

For the first time this year, there will be a people’s choice award. What are your thoughts about it? 

Nantenaina: Sports is great thing in people’s lives and I think that it is good to get them involved in any way possible. Having them to choose between their best athletes? I love the idea.                 

Finally, how do you feel about the performances you managed to put in during 2023? 

Nantenaina: The year 2023 was great. I managed some good results in most competitions. But as an athlete living in Seychelles, I’m never satisfied cause I’m not living up to my full potential as a Judoka or athlete. With more support and good management, there would have been even better performances coming from me. 

“My chances of winning depends on the selection committee” – Natacha Chetty

What does it mean to you, to be among the top five? 

Natacha: To be among the top 5 means a lot to me, considering that I did quite well in a few competitions here in the US.  

What do you think are your chances of winning? 

Natacha: My chances of winning depends on the committee but whatever the outcome is it is fine with me.  

If not you, then who do you think will win? 

Natacha: There has been good result from the other 4 finalists and it’s a bit difficult to say. Each individual would have preferred that their closer one could’ve make it through to either the top 10 or the top 5 in the hope of being compensated but the final decision rests on the selecting committee.  

For the first time this year, there is a people’s choice award. What are your thoughts about it?  

Natacha: I think that now is the chance for the public  to be able to select their best athlete through the people’s choice award and I think it is a good thing.  

Finally, how will you describe your performances during 2023? 

Natacha: I will describe the year 2023 for me as challenging, and tough in view that I have had to juggle with classes, trainings and competitions, and also heartbreak due to an injury sustained after winning Mountain West championships, that kept me away from the outdoor competitions. 

Sports Awards – People’s Choice Awards

Vote for your favourite out of the original TOP 20 – The winner of the award for the sportsman and woman of the year is selected by a selection committee, made up of sports officials and journalists, and over the years, some of the winners have not necessarily been universally agreed upon by the public. With the top 20 male and female athletes announced for the 2023 Sports Awards, we at Inside Seychelles are giving a voice to the public, where you can now choose who you think deserves to be crowned the top athlete.

Click Here to VOTE NOW!!!!

Author: S.N Edited by: J.R

INSIDE SEYCHELLES IS YOUR GUIDE TO WHAT’S ON, WHERE TO GO, AND WHAT TO DO IN SEYCHELLES – CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW AND BE SURE TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH ALL UPCOMING EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES IN SEYCHELLES.