The Libyan team has joined the SSL development programme in Seychelles, taking part in intensive training alongside sailors and coaches from other emerging sailing nations. For some members of the team, the experience represents much more than another week of training — it is their very first step into competitive sailing.
For Yaser Buweden, being part of the Libyan team in Seychelles is a particularly important moment.
“This is my first time in the Seychelles,” he says. “I was really lucky to take the course with professional coaches and an amazing organisation from SSL. I’m very happy because I’m here with my Libyan team.”
The team’s participation has also been made possible with the support of the Libyan Sailing Federation, something Yaser highlights as an important part of the journey. “Big thanks to the Libyan Sailing Federation for supporting us to come to Seychelles.”
Building a team from the ground up
The Libyan team is not arriving with years of experience in this type of sailing. Some members are discovering the sport for the very first time. “At first, some people in our team were sailing for the first time, but excited to go to another day, to another training. Yaser explains.
After several days on the water, the mood within the team remained positive. “Everyone is feeling good, everyone is happy, everyone is excited about the future of sailing.” The experience has already started changing the way the sailors think about their future. According to Yaser, the team is now discussing what comes next, including how they can acquire boats and continue training once they return home.
A bigger vision for African sailing
For Yaser, however, the objective goes far beyond Libya. He sees the SSL development programme as a way to connect emerging sailing nations and create a stronger community across the continent.
“The SSL organisation supports every country,” he explains. “They are planning to make a big community for SSL sailing and look into the future — go to African competitions”. It is an ambitious vision, but one that the Libyan team is ready to embrace. “We will try to do our best to make this dream come true”.
Seychelles as a meeting point for emerging nations
The training in Seychelles is also important because it brings together countries that are at different stages of developing their sailing programmes.
For Libya, the opportunity to train alongside other emerging teams is a chance not only to learn, but also to build relationships and eventually compete against them.
“We are so excited to come back to the Seychelles,” Yaser says.
He imagines a future in which the teams currently training together can return to Seychelles for racing and smaller competitions — creating a bridge towards larger international events.
“A lot of countries are still beginning, so it’s a very good chance to meet them here.”
The idea is simple: start together, train together, and then push each other to improve. “We will make a small competition between us and see who can go faster to the other level.”