Seychelles continued its commitment to youth football development with its participation in the FIFA U15 Indian Ocean Festival, a regional development event that brought together young players and football stakeholders from across the Indian Ocean region. The festival provided an important platform for both players and staff to gain international exposure, develop technical understanding, and engage in best practices aligned with FIFA’s youth development principles.
Player Development and On-Field Opportunities
A major highlight of the festival was the selection of nine Seychellois players for the FIFA U15 Indian Ocean Festival All-Stars Match, recognising their performances, attitude, and potential throughout the event.
Boys selected: Ebenezer Lesperance, Nirajh Payet, Ron Marengo, Niall Moustache, and Andrew Leon
Girls selected: Chrisy Aglae, Avrina Albest, Norita Jean-Baptiste and Robyna Rose
The All-Stars selection reflects the progress being made in youth development across both boys’ and girls’ pathways in Seychelles and highlights the growing depth of young talent within the country.
Staff Engagement and Capacity Building
Beyond the matches, the festival offered valuable learning opportunities for Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) staff, who participated in a series of workshops and knowledge-sharing sessions.
These sessions focused on:
- Youth development frameworks
- Youth protection and safeguarding
- Technical aspects of youth football
- Best practices in player welfare and long-term athlete development
The workshops allowed SFF staff to exchange ideas with regional counterparts, strengthen their understanding of international standards, and bring back practical insights that can be applied within the local football ecosystem.
A Holistic Development Experience
The FIFA U15 Indian Ocean Festival is designed not only to identify talent but also to reinforce football as a tool for education, personal development, and regional collaboration. Seychelles’ participation aligned strongly with this vision, ensuring that both players and staff benefitted from a holistic development experience.
Looking Ahead
The Seychelles Football Federation extends its appreciation to FIFA and the host federation for organising a well-structured and impactful festival. The lessons gained from this experience will support ongoing efforts to strengthen youth pathways, safeguard young players, and create more opportunities for international exposure.
With continued investment in youth development, Seychelles remains committed to building a strong foundation for the future of football across the nation.
