(Seychelles News Agency) - A South African sports delegation will be participating in next year’s Carnaval International de Victoria, featuring a group of elite athletes and fitness models. This was revealed in a press release by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture yesterday, after Tourism Minister Alain St. Ange signed a Memorandum of Understanding with South African fitness and training expert Kirschlee Naidoo of Insane Fitness & Nutrition to promote ‘sports tourism’ in Seychelles.

Committed to promoting Seychelles as much more than just a romantic holiday getaway destination,St. Ange is determined to showcase the island nation’s culture and people and offer a wider variety of experiences for visitors to Seychelles.

Naidoo, who is a lifestyle coach and celebrity trainer, signed the agreement with Minister St. Ange on the sidelines of the South African Tourism Indaba which was held in Durban from May 10-12, 2014.

“It is a privilege for me to be partnering with the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) in being one of the main promoters for the 2015 edition of the Carnaval International de Victoria of Seychelles in South Africa, and at the same promoting Seychelles as a sports tourism destination which I believe will attract more South Africans to the Seychelles archipelago,” said Naidoo.

Insane Fitness & Nutrition is planning to run roadshows this December in all major South African cities, including Pretoria and Durban and ending off in Cape Town at the annual Cape Town Carnival in January 2015 to select the fittest South Africans to represent their country at the Seychelles Carnival in 2015.

The Seychelles Tourism Board is also investigating the development of golf tourism as a potential attraction for sports enthusiasts, and is mooting the feasibility of holding an annual golf tournament at the designer golf course at the Constance Lemuria hotel on Praslin, the second most populated island of the Seychelles.

According to the statement, Naidoo seeks to introduce the popular core conditioning and training programme, CrossFit, at the tournament.

“A CrossFit program applies to all individuals, no matter what your age or fitness level,” Naidoo said. “Our training approach emphasizes fundamental, functional movements with proper technique, basics first. By utilizing ever-changing workouts, a combination of bodyweight, weightlifting, and high-intensity drills, you will experience fitness first-hand.”

The STB’s regional manager for South Africa, Marsha Parcou, said she believed Seychelles’ relationship with Insane Fitness & Nutrition, which was established previously with other projects and sponsorships, was a good fit that would enable Seychelles to remain competitive and innovative in the tourism industry.

“When we look at forming a partnership with potential partners, it is not just about affiliation, it is about the passion, commitment, and positive contribution that they can bring to our existing strategies.”

The fifth edition of the Seychelles Carnaval International de Victoria is set for April 24 to 26, 2015.