Swimming: Hamilton Aquatics Summer Sizzler –Dubai |17 June 2023
Two different clans to defend the Seychelles’ flag at gulf summer sizzler
While most local sporting federations and associations are gearing up, putting the final touches to their preparations for the forthcoming 11th Indian Ocean Islands Games 2023 scheduled to take place in Madagascar from August 23 to September 3, swimming is still pulling in opposite direction, while the authority seems to be incapable of getting a grip on the situation.
From June 24 to 25, the Hamdam Bin Mohamed Bin Rashid Sports Complex in Dubai, United Arab Emirates will host this year’s Hamilton Aquatics Summer Sizzler, where Seychelles will be represented by two parties, namely the national selection and the Adventure Sports Club.
The big question remains, why two different groups and who gave the approval to such an idea?
It is not common for the government to interfere in the running of sports, but in the case of swimming, as a last resort, the National Sports Council has set up a caretaker committee to oversee the preparations of local swimmers prior to the forthcoming IOIG, after the former association – Seychelles Swimming Association (SSA) – was struck off the list of the Registrar General for non-compliance.
Following investigations, based on complaints received from various members of the SSA by the office of the Registrar General, the office came up with a number of proofs, exposing the SSA’s non-compliance to the Registration of Associations Act 1959 (ROA).
Among the irregularities highlighted were mostly various cases of breach of the SSA constitution, including failure to provide minutes of meeting on several occasions.
Members were also not advised of the agreement to change the association’s logo which is also not in line with the constitution.
It is also stated that the refusal to host an extra-ordinary general meeting (EGM) is equally a breach of the constitution, precisely Article 19.2.
Furthermore, the refusal to give access to the members’ list to the Aquafins and Mahé Skimmers clubs is also another breach, specifically of article 9.2.
In line with that, the withholding of information which would have allowed members to convene for an EGM by the SSA office bearers is a breach of article 19.5 of the association’s constitution.
Following the struck-off, a new body – the Seychelles Aquatic Federation – came forward with the intention to administer the sport, but due to some technical issues in relation to its constitution, the new federation is yet to be officially recognised by the National Sports Council (NSC).
According to the NSC, until matters are resolved between the new federation and Fina which regulates the sports globally, a caretaker committee was set up to oversee Seychelles swimming, including preparation and planning for the 11th IOIG.
The committee, chaired by the chief executive of the NSC Marc Arissol, is also made up of coaches’ commissioner Steve Hoareau, principal sports officer Ruudy Joseph who is also responsible for high level sports, and Alain Alcindor, director for sports federations and associations.
Meanwhile, the swimming national selection has been under the responsibility of head coach Barnsley Albert who is being assisted by Robert Suzette.
Lack of respect for national team coaching staff
As part of the preparations for the IOIG, all swimmers in the pre-selection were enlisted for the Hamilton Aquatics Summer Sizzler, and according to coach Albert, two swimmers, namely Khema Elizabeth and Alain Vidot from the Adventure Sports Club, were pulled out of the selection for the competition which also includes Abigail Labuschagne, Isabelle Labuschagne, Aaliyah Palestrini, Angelina Smythe, Dorianne Bristol, Keira Berlouis, Nael Barreau, Lea Ramanantsoa, Louisiana Bacco, Damien Payet, Luca Soleil-Arnephy, Nathan Nagapin, Yves Fock Heng, Iwan Chang Lai Seng, Aiden Labrosse, Dwight Bamboche, Amos Ferley, Lihandro Pierre, Kian Rosalie and Daqurenne Servina.
The two swimmers ‒ Khema Elizabeth and Alain Vidot ‒ will be accompanied by coach Jude Vidot.
The motive behind the manoeuvre is not clear, since all the swimmers are taking part in the same competition, representing one country, which is Seychelles.
In its press release, the Adventure Sports Club states that “Funding for this swimming championship is fully sponsored by their affiliated club (Adventure Sports Club), including the accompanying coach, with the approval of NSC”.
Speaking to Sports NATION, NSC chief executive Arissol has categorically denied the approval, let alone the involvement of the NSC, regarding the club’s trip to Dubai.
He, however, explained that the NSC did give the green light for Elizabeth to compete at the Winter National Swimming Championship held recently at the Sports complex of Côte d’Or in Mauritius.
He said, the press release bears false information and that since the two swimmers were part of the selection to compete at the very competition, there was no reason for him, or, the committee to give approval for them to go on their own.
This shows a lack of respect for the coaching staff of the national selection and Mr Arissol said the decision whether or not to accept the two swimmers back into the national team after the competition will rest on the whole caretaker committee.
While the Adventure Sports Club publicly claimed that approval was given for the two swimmers to take part in the competition with their club, the NSC categorically denied such claim.
In a press release, the NSC stated that, consequently, they are asking the media to be cautious in dealing with information hailing from unofficial sources and to be mindful that some of those information may not be necessarily correct.
It further states that the NSC is the sole entity responsible for the management of local swimming, while accordingly asking all media to check and verify related information with the rightful source to avoid all misperceptions.
The big question remains, who is telling the truth?
Roland Duval