President James Michel has extended his sincere condolences to the People and Government of the United States of America following the devastating tornado that hit Oklahoma yesterday.

In a letter sent to President Barack Obama, President Michel said that he was deeply saddened by the loss of so many lives, many of which were young children, and the devastation that was caused.

“In the wake of this tragedy, the Government and People of Seychelles join me in extending our heartfelt condolences.. Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims during this most difficult time.”

The Ministry of Education has entered the second phase of the Campaign against Underage Drinking during a Symposium on Alcohol Awareness held for parents on Friday 17^thMay at the School of EducationAuditorium Mont Fleuri.

The session was attended by Minister for Education Mrs Macsuzy Mondon, Principal Secretary for Education Mrs Merida Delcy and other education senior management members as well as parents. Also present in supportof the cause was Designated Minister Mr Vincent Meriton, who is also the Minister responsible for Community Development, Social Affairs and Sports.

Parents are regarded as one of the key partners in the fight against Underage Drinking and it is in that same light that the main objectives of the session are geared towards sensitization, raising awareness andenlisting the support of parents to join forces with the Ministry to address issues related to early alcohol consumption by youths and the impacts.

The half-day event included presentations on results of a study conducted with Secondary and Post-Secondary Students on alcohol consumption and awareness, followed by presentation by Dr Daniella Malulu, ConsultantIn Charge of the Anse Royale Wellness Centre. Inspector Chrissy Hoareau from the Seychelles Police also made a presentation covering the main aspects of youth, alcohol and the laws in Seychelles in relation to underage drinking.

The symposium provided an opportunity for parents to ask questions as well as bring forward their recommendations to assist the Ministry in drafting further actions as well as devise more effective strategiesin the fight against alcohol consumption by youths.

The Ministry for Education announced that following this session with parents the campaign will be branching out to schools, to bring information closer to other parents and students in further efforts to ensureawareness is raised on, not only the dangers of underage drinking, but to also reduce the negative impacts it has on teaching and learning.

The campaign against underage drinking was launched by the Minister for Education, Mrs. Macsuzy Mondon, during the first symposium for students on Friday 12^thApril at STC Conference Room.

Former President France Albert Rene on Monday lit the African Union flame in a symbolic ceremony at State House in the presence of President James Michel and other dignitaries.

It is just amazing how Eco cycling club riders, especially Francis Louis and Dominique Arrisol, have been dominating local races and last Saturday they again registered a one-two finish.

This is the third consecutive one-two placings for the two and it is interesting to see how long they can maintain this momentum.

On Saturday, Louis was first across the finish line of the 103.1km road race at l’Exile (Sans Soucis) in a time of 3 hours 15 minutes 03 seconds (3h15:03).

His clubmate Dominique Arrisol was also credited with the same time for second place, while Ahmad Arissol of the Journey cycling club finished third in 3h15:57.

Edward Pothin (St Francis, 3h18:37), Bertrand Lesperance (Eco cycling club, 3h19:40), Ricky Rosalie (St Francis, 3h19:45 ), Fadi Confiance (Eco cycling club, 3h20:09), Peter Alphonse (Journey cycling club, 3h 21:25) and Mario Joubert (Journey cycling club, 3h 32:27) were ranked fourth to ninth.

Eco cycling club won the best team title with a combined time of 9h49:46 and Journey cycling club finished second with 10h09:49.

Baya lost centre Timmy Adam early in the first quarter, but Alex Baron and the rest of the team did not let his absence bother them as they powered to a 75-60 win, inflicting a third defeat on Mont Fleuri Dawgz so early in the season.

The men’s division one championship is really getting interesting; probably the most interesting it has been in many years. And on Saturday, the big crowd at Victoria Gymnasium got their money’s worth as Baya and Mont Fleuri Dawgz brought the ‘game’ to the basketball garden.

After Adam was taken off the court by teammates after spraining his right ankle, he was not there to exhort his team to play hard as he was transported to the English River health centre. But his teammates read the defence and took advantage of any openings they found against the Dawgz.

As coach Michel Malbrook diagrammed plays, Baron filled the void left by Adam, dominating the offensive and defensive boards and also finishing with a game-leading 22 points.

Steve Denis banked four treys for 13 of his 20 points, while captain Dave Roseline added 15 as Baya’s starters scored 67 of their team’s 75 points.

After winning the first quarter 20-13, Baya lost the second 18-21 but still went for the break with a four-point – 38-34 – advantage.

The two teams tied each other 14-14 in the third quarter before Baya stepped on the accelerator to pull away from the Dawgz as they won the fourth quarter 23-12 for a big 75-60 win.

“We’re playing good basketball,” skipper Roseline told Sports Nation.

“We needed to win and we played as a team. We will be all out in the remaining matches,” added Roseline whose team are second in the nine-team standings with nine points after four wins and a loss.

Steven André was the Dawgz’ top scorer with 15 points, while young and talented Kevin Romain finished with 14 –the same total as swingman Cyril Agrippine who fouled out after coming off the bench.

The defeat was the third in six games for the Dawgz coached by Nigel Ah-kong and they have to start getting their strategy right if they want to stay in the title hunt.

Also Saturday, Beau Vallon Heat extended their win run to five games with an 80-59 victory against Angels and they are the only unbeaten side in the championship with a maximum 10 points to lead the standings.

With their next opponents PLS Hawks watching from the stands, Beau Vallon turned up the heat on Angels as they won the first three quarters 21-17, 22-5 and 26-18.

Although they lost the fourth 11-19, it did not have much impact as they had three players scoring in double figures – Jean-Paul ‘JP’ Camille with 27 points, centre Robert Léon with 25 and Christopher ‘To’ Camille with 12.

Heat’s starters outscored those of Angels 63-39 and it remains to be seen if they can produce the same result this coming Saturday against PLS Hawks who are still licking their wounds from a first defeat in two years on a 73-82 score at the hands of Baya.

Before that, the Hawks will be in action tomorrow when they take on RC Dynamics in a match scheduled for last Saturday but was postponed due to rain which rendered the Victoria Gymnasium court slippery.

Also on Sunday, the match between MBU Rockers and Drifters had to be stopped with six minutes left in the fourth quarter and the Rockers leading 67-58.

Meanwhile, in the men’s second division league, Praslin Warriors collected two weekends during the weekend – 59-50 against Anse Etoile and 62-59 against Wolf – to go third on the seven-team table with nine points (four wins and a loss).

Cascade Bullets, who lost their top flight status at the end of last season, are leading the chase with 10 points after five wins in as many games and Razors are also on 10 points but have played six games – winning four and losing two.