A new accessibility ramp at Stad Linite was officially inaugurated today, marking another important step in efforts to make Seychelles’ premier sporting venue more accessible and inclusive to all members of the community.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by President Patrick Herminie, the First Lady, Vice-President Sebastien Pillay and Minister for Youth, Sports and Family Kelsey Belle. Also present were representatives of the Ramp Up Rise Up Association, the National Sports Council (NSC), the Seychelles Football Federation (SFF) and other stakeholders involved in the initiative.
The new ramp has been constructed to improve access to the stadium for persons with disabilities and others with reduced mobility. Its introduction is expected to make it easier for spectators, athletes, officials and visitors with mobility challenges to access and enjoy the facilities at Stad Linite.
The project is also a reflection of the growing importance being placed on accessibility within the country’s sporting infrastructure. By removing physical barriers, the facility contributes towards creating a more welcoming environment where persons with disabilities can participate in and enjoy sport on a more equal footing.
The initiative follows advocacy from the Ramp Up Rise Up Association, which has been calling for improved accessibility and greater consideration for the needs of persons with disabilities at public facilities. Representatives of the association were present at the inauguration, highlighting the importance of collaboration between advocacy groups, sporting organisations and government institutions in bringing about practical improvements.
For the NSC and SFF, the completion of the ramp forms part of the wider efforts to improve Stad Linite and bring the national stadium closer to the standards expected of a modern sporting facility.
Accessibility is also an important consideration within international football, with FIFA standards placing increasing emphasis on ensuring that stadiums provide appropriate access and facilities for spectators and participants with disabilities. The new ramp therefore represents another positive step in the ongoing development and improvement of Stad Linite.
Beyond meeting infrastructure requirements, the project carries a broader message about the role of sport in society. Sporting facilities should be spaces where everyone can feel welcome, regardless of physical ability, and where barriers to participation are progressively removed.
The opening of the ramp therefore represents more than the completion of an infrastructure project. It is a practical demonstration of Seychelles’ commitment to promoting inclusion, accessibility and equal opportunities through sport.
As Stad Linite continues to undergo improvements, the new accessibility facility adds to the efforts to transform the venue into a more modern, functional and inclusive national sporting facility, benefiting both the sporting community and the wider public.
