Secondary students who excelled at the 6th Indian Ocean Games in Mauritius were Monday September 15 presented with a small token of appreciation from the Ministry of Education and Youth.

It was during a special assembly at the Plaisance Secondary School to coincide with the beginning of the third semester that the minister for education, Danny Faure, presented the athletes with flowers and a few words of encouragement.

The nine secondary students who were rewarded came from the four central secondary schools on Mahe -- Plaisance, Mont Fleuri, English River and Belonie.

Upon congratulating the young athletes who had honoured Seychelles with their outstanding performances, Minister Faure urged other students to take this example set by student-athletes to see how this could be transformed in their studies. 

“Educators and teachers have made it their business to ensure that students in schools are driven in the right direction to eventually attain the main objectives of the ministry -- to invigorate our students with the proper values,” said Minister Faure.

However, constraints and negative forces do exist as obstacles, and apart from a good education, Minister Faure added, sport is also a concrete example of how we can overcome those obstacles and be united.

The special assembly was also graced with the presence of the female weightlifting champion of this year’s Indian Ocean Games, Janet Thelermont, who apprised the students on a formula to attaining success.

Thelermont, who had been a student at the Plaisance Secondary School nine years ago, explained that a drive for success, sacrifice and personal discipline had gotten her where she is now.

Managing to attain three gold medals this year, Thelermont advised the students, especially young girls, to engage themselves in sport activities and use their energy wisely instead of engaging in destructive acts.           

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