SEYCHELLOIS sports doctor Kenneth Sherwin has been awarded an International Olympic Committee (IOC) trophy for his remarkable contribution towards the development of sports medicine here.

It was Mr Antonio Gopal, president of the Seychelles National Olympic Committee (SNOC), who presented Dr Sherwin with his well-deserved trophy during a short ceremony which took place yesterday afternoon at the SNOC headquarters at Stad Linite.

Also present at yesterday’s ceremony were SNOC's secretary general Robert Auguste and other members of the National Olympic Academy of Seychelles (NOAS), an arm of SNOC.

Dr Sherwin, who worked as a sports medical officer with the Sports Medical Unit of the National Sports Council (NSC) for more than 12 years and is now working as a freelance doctor in Reunion, told Sports Nation that he was very happy to receive the award, something he was not expecting.

"I am extremely happy to receive the prize today (Wednesday). This trophy simply represents the love and devotion I put in my work over the years,” he said, adding that even though he was no longer working in Seychelles, he was willing to give his help to the NSC and all those in need.

The 44 year-old, who graduated from the Université de St Etienne in France in 1992 as a general practitioner before spending two more years specialising in sports medicine, added that he missed the country, especially the local athletes with whom he had spent most of his time.

“I am a sports fanatic and as long as I am alive I will always devote some of my time towards the development of sports,” said a proud Doctor Sherwin who is following training in Hyperbaric medicine in Reunion.

Currently on holiday here, the medical officer, who was in charge of the decompression chamber at Victoria Hospital before leaving for Reunion late last year, also had words of thanks for the IOC, SNOC, NSC and all Seychellois sportsmen and women.

“I take this opportunity to thank the IOC and SNOC for the trophy. Most of all I would like to thank all local sportsmen and women because if it was not for them I would not have been here today,” he concluded.

On behalf of all local athletes, Mr Gopal thanked Dr Sherwin for his remarkable contribution and added that his was sadly missed.

“I would like to congratulate Dr Sherwin for his achievement and I wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” added Mr Gopal.

It is to be noted that each year the traditional IOC trophy is given to all National Olympic Committees across the globe and they in turn honour a prominent figure from within their own sporting community.

The trophy, which is entitled “Sports and Well-being”, is to be awarded to a person or organisation who has promoted good health and positive conditioning, both physically and psychology, of individuals through sport.

Among the criteria to award the trophy to a individual or an organisation, the recipient should have promoted the role that sports play in improving the quality of life of all people.

It is common practice for the IOC through all national olympic committees to reward individuals or organisations who have played a major role in the development of sports related to the selected topic chosen by the IOC for a specific year.

To date, four Seychellois individuals and one local organisation have been rewarded.