Young Seychellois Footballers Join IBS of Provence
This September, IBS of Provence was delighted to welcome 24 young footballers from the Seychelles. Aged between 12 and 14, the student-athletes were selected for their outstanding technical and sporting abilities, as well as for their academic potential and commitment.
Their arrival marks the beginning of a four-year training programme in France, which will continue until 2029. The programme is being developed with the support of FIFA and the Seychelles Football Federation, represented by its President, Elvis Chetty, and Technical Director, Osama Haroun.
The project is designed to help these young talents develop in a demanding international environment while combining high-level football training with a strong academic education. Based in Provence, they benefit from the structured learning environment and educational support provided by IBS of Provence, enabling them to build their future both on and off the pitch.
Education supporting their full potential
IBS of Provence provides the students with a high-quality education, a structured learning environment and international academic support adapted to the demands of their programme. The school’s aim is to help each student progress, develop greater independence and acquire the knowledge and skills needed for future studies.
Most of the young footballers already speak English, French and Seychellois Creole. This multilingual background will help them integrate into our bilingual and multicultural environment. Their presence also brings a valuable international dimension to school life, creating opportunities for students to share experiences and discover new perspectives on culture, sport and international education.
Their daily schedule is particularly intensive. It combines four hours of academic classes with four hours of football training, as well as Saturday morning lessons and weekend matches. Such a demanding routine requires close coordination between the sporting teams, the students’ designated guardians and the IBS staff.
A dedicated team of FIFA Guardians, led by Anthony Benchenafi and Kevin Serna, works alongside IBS staff to accompany and support the students in their daily lives, their education and their personal development. Their presence helps provide a secure, caring and supportive framework suited to the needs and responsibilities of young international athletes.
International sporting ambitions
This programme has been created with the highest level of competition in mind. Some of the young players may represent the Seychelles at the U15 World Cup in Azerbaijan at the end of October 2026, and could later take part in the Africa Cup of Nations.
This opportunity reflects the confidence placed in their potential and the high standards of their programme. Their time at IBS of Provence will allow them to continue developing as footballers while pursuing a comprehensive academic education, an essential part of their personal balance and long-term future.
We are delighted to welcome them to IBS of Provence and wish them every success as they begin this new chapter. We look forward to supporting them throughout the coming years and to seeing them grow within our international community.
To the whole IBS community, we would like to extend an important message: let us do everything we can to help these young talents feel at home here in Provence.
