Global broadcast: Regis Francourt
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By Lewis BetsyIt was good to have a meeting of the TRNUC Victims’ Association broadcast globally online and hear what was said. Indeed, I hope President Ramkalawan took note.Association official... more...
Musical welcome: A Maore cultural group
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Much missed: Elvis Dias in younger days
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By Lewis Betsy  The scandal of what is happening with the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission is an outrageous insult to the people of Seychelles. In his State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ramkalawan referred to the TRNUC, but he never offered anything serious or concrete concerning what would happen to the victims. I had previously warned that the Commission looked doomed to fail.  Yet it must not fail. The Government must not let the victims down. The truth is that the TRNUC has become a joke for the LDS Government. They are playing politics with it and applying a delaying tactics strategy with the victims.  The time has come to say enough is enough. My case number is No 2 and I am sure by now the Government must have had an idea where mine and all the many other cases were heading. It is not that difficult. We simply want justice and compensation for all the hurt we have suffered since 1977.  Naturally, we need answers to achieve closure.  In the meantime, we are forced to wait and trauma continues to impact families. Those that decided to stay in Seychelles have also suffered, but it was their choice not to bring their cases to the TRNUC.  It appears there is a blame culture going on: We are not children of Seychelles now because we brought our cases to the TRNUC. However, the suffering goes on for all.. For some victims it is too late. They have died with no answers forthcoming. So I ask: Where are the lists and names of the perpetrators? Why is the President keeping the lists from us? Is he protecting someone? Of the few perpetrators who came to the TRNUC, only five or six of them publicly said sorry for what they had done. And that was it. I note that many other known perpetrators are out and about in town, mixing freely with the public. It has become a sick joke and we, the victims, are suffering. The fact is I believe the TRNUC has become such a shambles that no one wants to deal with it. The LDS have the power they want and are cynically running the country without a care in the world. They have no sense of responsibility or duty. The LDS government is trying to wash its hands when it comes to paying the victims – though I see that they managed to find the money to pay all the Commissioners.  Yet who set up this scenario in the first place? It was Ramkalawan and former President Danny Faure. Timing is all, of course, and there are elections next year. We’ve got to watch it, or LDS might use the victims again to get another term in office. The more you think about the issue the more it makes you sick. How on Earth are we ever going to achieve unity in Seychelles when this situation persists?
11th March 2024
By Lewis BetsyThe scandal of what is happening with the Truth, Reconciliation and National Unity Commission is an outrageous insult to the people of Seychelles.In his State of the Nation Address (SONA... more...
Hope: Lewis Betsy meets President Danny Faure at State House on 16th March 2017 to discuss unity.
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By Lewis BetsyI write this with a great sense of loss and despair. For decades now I have campaigned for my beloved Seychelles to achieve unity.It is now March 2024 and there is nothing like it in sig... more...
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29th February 2024
Seychelles tourism expert Alain St.Ange was part of the awards panel that declared Sharm El-Sheikh the Tourism Capital City 2024.The former Tourism Minister for Seychelles who now heads his own touris... more...
Devoted mother: Helen Azolan
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Praise from across the globe as Seychellois-born football star Kevin Betsy takes key job at Arsenal

12th August 2021

Top job: Kevin Betsy is the new Under 23-team coach at Arsenal
Top job: Kevin Betsy is the new Under 23-team coach at Arsenal

Congratulations have been pouring in from all over the world after Kevin Betsy took up a new job managing the Under 23-team at top London football club, Arsenal.

Seychellois-born Kevin, 43, had previously been Under-18s Head Coach for England.

He said: “It’s an honour and privilege to be joining Arsenal as Under-23s Head Coach.”

It certainly is – and a rich reward for the amount of time and dedication Kevin and his family have put into the sports.

Kevin’s father, Lewis Betsy, publisher of Seychelles Life and a former player himself, is in true football terms “over the moon” with his son’s success.

“We are so pleased and proud,” he said.

Football is in the Betsy blood. Lewis played for the Seychelles clubs Rovers and Rangers and also captained the national team in the 1970s.

His great footballing friend, Gerard Hoarau, gave Lewis a blue and white ball for Kevin when he was born.

Gerard told Lewis: “Make sure he becomes a footballer.”

Those words soon became a reality when the family were forced to move to England.

Kevin took up football from an early age and astounded people with his skills.

Lewis said: “Kevin was always kicking a ball about, or against a wall. People kept telling me how good he was.”

“When he was nine he joined the Cavaliers team in Bracknell, Berkshire, and scored 92 goals in his first year.”

Thirty-four years on Kevin is now aiming to ensure Arsenal players benefit from his skill and experience.

He said: “Arsenal is, of course, an iconic club in world football with such a rich history. This is also a club with a very strong current record of developing young football players for the highest level, but also placing an emphasis on producing well-rounded young people.

“I’ve had a tremendous five years working with the Football Association in vital roles across the England youth teams. During this time I’ve worked with many hugely talented young players and some amazing colleagues in a wide range of departments.”

Arsenal, is also known as the Gunners, and Academy Manager Per Mertesacker said they were “extremely delighted” to have recruited such a high profile candidate as Kevin.

He said of Kevin: “He has had very strong experiences through academy and youth football, and has a wealth of knowledge and ability. 

“We are excited that Kevin will drive us to continue to deliver on our vision to develop and build ‘Strong Young Gunners’. Kevin has proved in his coaching career that he will be a colleague who can contribute strongly to our players’ development pathway by leading our Under-23s team, including our staff and players.”

Lewis has been overwhelmed with the reaction Kevin’s appointment has generated. He said: “We want to thank all the Seychellois people, and friends throughout the world, who have sent congratulatory messages to us.

“We offer a very big thank-you to them for their support.”

Kevin made more than 400 appearances in English league football, as well as representing Seychelles, during his 18 years as a player.

He gained promotion from each of the four league divisions during spells with clubs which included Barnsley, Bristol City, Oldham Athletic, Southend United, Woking and Wycombe Wanderers. Most notably, he was part of the Fulham side which won promotion from League One and the Championship, featuring in the Premier League in the early 2000s. 

With Seychelles he took part in the 2011 Indian Ocean Island Games, scoring in the final against Mauritius, which finished 1–1. Kevin scored again in the resulting penalty shootout, which the Seychelles won 4–3. 

In Seychelles, Kevin also founded a charity, the Kevin Betsy Foundation to help coach young players and supply football kit.

When he stepped down as a player he began his coaching career at the Fulham Academy, and spent the past five years working in key roles with England Youth teams across different age categories, eventually becoming England Under-18s Head Coach in September 2020.

Now even though Kevin has the Arsenal job, the Betsy family firmly believe there is more to come. “We are confident that he can go further in the football world,” said Lewis.

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