Volleyball: Edinah Rotich saga-Arsu send formal protest to SVF |21 July 2010

Seychelles Nation has received a copy of the letter of protest dated July 19, 2010 and signed by captain Jerina Bonne and addressed to SVF chairman Jude Florentine.

In her letter, captain Bonne noted that Rotich played for Kenya Commercial Bank at the African Club Championship in Mauritius in May and said she was surprised she has been allowed to play by “exceptional and extraordinary authority” exercised by the SVF when the local transfer window will only open in October 2010.

She added that one of Arsu’s players, Marielle Bonne, who plays for French Pro B league newcomers Volley-Ball Tulles Naves, is in the same situation as Rotich and yet she has been disqualified from playing for her team of origin – Arsu.

Captain Jerina Bonne explained that the SVF ruled that it would not be fair on the other teams to allow Marielle Bonne or any other Seychellois professionals to play in the local league during their four or five-month holiday.

“We feel that the SVF has been prejudicial in its decision with respect to Marielle Bonne – a home-grown international – and was quick to accept and integrate an expatriate player,” the letter said.

“What happened to the ‘SVF spirit of fairness’ that you have resolutely applied against all our Seychellois professional players?”

In conclusion, captain Bonne said that “Saturday’s match should be made null and void in the interest of true fairness and sportsmanship”.

G. G.