Swimming |09 September 2023

  Chairperson of the Seychelles Aquatic Federation (SAF) Muriel Morgan

Finally some order as Seychelles’ swimming gets new governing body

• Muriel Morgan appointed chairperson

After being poorly governed over the years, the sport of swimming has finally seen the light at the end of the tunnel, with the election of a new governing body which has promised to promote the development of aquatic sports in Seychelles for fitness, leisure and competition.

The new body – Seychelles Aquatic Federation (SAF) – headed by Muriel Morgan, replaces the Seychelles Swimming Association (SSA) headed by David Vidot and which was struck off by the Office of the Registrar General for non-compliance.

More than eight months after it was officially recognised by the Office of the Registrar General in January, the SAF was elected on Tuesday during a special meeting headed by a representative of the Confédération Africaine de Natation (Cana) – transiting into Africa Aquatics – Raymond Hack and attorney at law Elvis Chetty who was mediating the issue.

Other than Mrs Morgan, its other members are Antoine Onezime (vice-chairman), Eliza Moïse, Dwayne Didon, Julia Monnaie, Collette Labushagne, Farouk Jean-Jean-Baptiste (ordinary members).

The posts of treasurer and secretary will be finalised once all the official formalities are completed since they will be employed by the SAF, instead of being voted in.

It is worth noting that no representative of the National Sports Council (NSC) was present during Tuesday’s meeting.

With strong backing of management and parents from the country’s major swimming clubs, the SAF hit a brick wall when it was previously informed that some clauses of its constitution did not meet the criteria of, or were not in accordance with the sport’s continental governing body.

In the meantime, a caretaker committee within the NSC was set up, with chief executive Marc Arissol at its head, to oversee swimming, but it was no mystery that members of the defunct SSA were still running the show, while the temporary committee was in total darkness, regarding swimming.

Even on Thursday, Mr Arissol was still not aware that the burden had been lifted off his shoulders, and that a new body was in place, saying that he was not aware of such development.

He said he was not informed by his subordinates within the council.

Speaking to Sports NATION, Mrs Morgan explained that following a previous meeting with the NSC and Cana, several terms and conditions were agreed upon in order to move forward.

Based on the development of the meeting, Mrs Morgan said, even if they were told that the stalemate was based on issues in relation to their constitution, it was obvious that the international body had no previous knowledge of the document, let alone the newly set up federation.

Following the meeting, the SAF’s executive committee was ready to step down, making space for fresh elections, as long as certain agreed terms and conditions, based on concerns, and not accusations are met and respected.

A minimum of 10 swimmers per registered team was one of the key conditions, taking into account that it was previously a common practice to register teams, just for the sake of getting support, precisely during elections.

Therefore, doubts regarding the compliancy of some of the clubs were high.

It was also agreed that members of the defunct former governing body were not eligible to be nominated as candidates for election.

Fixing the scoreboard is priority number one

Once all the paper works are in order, Mrs Morgan said the top priority of the SAF is to replace the dilapidated scoreboard which is presently an eye-sore at the Roche Caïman swimming pools.

She said there are parents who are ready to sponsor the equipment and are just waiting for the green light from the Office of the Registrar General.

Bringing back swimming in schools is next on the list, enabling the association to come up with, and work on an effective succession plan which has been non-existent for years.

Mrs Morgan further added that during a conversation with Mr Hack, she was informed that Seychelles have lost a lot, in terms of scholarships, and training, due to the unwillingness of the previous body whose main target was to promote, and give all the opportunities to a selective affiliated few.

Preparing swimmers for the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, France next year is also on top of SAF’s agenda.

Mrs Morgan further explained that in the process, they will target their loyal sponsors who are ready to contribute, and were only waiting for SAF to take office.

She said they do not want to depend solely on the government, and with the aim of increasing the revenue stream from sports, they are planning to add some new features to the venue, including sports shops, selling aquatic equipment which at present is a real hassle, since most of them are not available locally, and a café which will keep parents busy while accompanying their children to the pool.

Based on the natives’ raw talents, Mrs Morgan said the SAF will put in different structures to develop those talents, taking them to another level, including water-polo and diving, transforming the Roche Caïman facility into an aquatic club, with related facilities which will not only benefit athletes, but also the parents.

Applying rules, regulations and discipline

It has been observed recently where once again, the caretaker committee failed to instill discipline in swimming, precisely within the national selection, prior to the 11th Indian Ocean Islands Games (IOIG) in Madagascar, whereby no necessary disciplinary measures were taken against those who were non-compliant to the existing structures and protocols in place.

With the bold statement “discipline is non-negotiable” made by Sports Minister Marie-Celine Zialor, one particular swimmer trained at club level, in the same pool alongside the national selection, in plain sight for everyone to see, without any action taken.

Being a lone wolf, and too good for the team, the swimmer flopped miserably at the 11th IOIG in individual events, while winning medals in team events only.

The same team that was supposedly below standard carried the swimmer to the podium.

Situations like this, Mrs Morgan said, will never happen under her watch, no matter how high such order is from.

Swimmers should train as a team, especially when representing the country at a Games, or any international event, said Mrs Morgan, an ex-swimmer who shared the pool with the likes of Tony Marie-Jeanne, Darren Romain, Ronny Yocette, Kenny Roberts, Jean-Paul Adam and so on.

“Swimmers will be selected on merit, based on performance, and not on their affiliation,” said Mrs Morgan, who concluded that upon the handing over, the swimming bank account will be audited, and if any misuse of fund is discovered, a case will be open with the Anti-Corruption Commission of Seychelles (ACCS), adding that politics and sports make a bad cocktail, destroying the latter.

“Politicians should stick to their politics instead of getting involved in sports decisions which should be taken by professionals in place, assigned by them,” she added.

Roland Duval