Tanzanian swimmers Ammaar Ghadiyali and Magdalena Moshi during the 2012 London Olympics. PHOTO | FILE
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Discontent among the swimmers and coaches emerged after the TSA named Magdalena Moshi in the two-member team seeking Olympics marks
Dar es Salaam. The Tanzania Swimming Association (TSA) has come under heavy criticism for picking a 2016 Olympic Games hopeful on unclear grounds.
Discontent among the swimmers and coaches emerged after the TSA named Magdalena Moshi in the two-member team seeking Olympics marks.
The 25-year-old Australia-based swimmer did not show up for the national championships in March, which is a prerequisite for any athlete aspiring to qualify the quadrennial showpiece.
Moshi, who is the daughter of the TSA chairman Alex Moshi, represented the country in the 2008 Beijing Games and 2012 London Games.
Voicing his concern, a prominent swimming trainer, Ferick Kalengela, criticised the TSA for overlooking the swimmers who followed the required procedures.
Apart from Magdalena, the other swimmer is Dubai-based Hilal Hilal who has been endorsed by the TSA to seek the marks for the 17-day multisport event, which will take place in Rio de Janeiro from August 5.
“We don’t understand why the TSA picked Magdalena for the Olympics. The decision has triggered many questions from the swimming fraternity,” said Kalengela who has a training experience spanning 25 years.
“Magdalena did not even come for the national championships as per the rules and regulations dictating who should go to the Olympics. How did they come to a conclusion that she becomes our representative?” he queried.
The national swimming championship took place at Heaven of Peace Academy (Hopac) in March with the TSA stating categorically that those who did not participate would not be considered for the Rio Games.
“All swimmers who are based in Kenya, England and UAE flew back home for the championship with the exception of Magdalena. The TSA isn’t telling why she didn’t come and why she has been included in the team,” he said.
The overseas-based swimmers who came back for the championship are Collins Saliboko (England), Aliasgar Karimjee, Hilal Hilal (UAE) and Sonia Tumiotto (England).
According to Kalengela, Tumiotto, who is aged just 14, deserved the Magdalena’s place for she is currently the top female swimmer in the country.
“Magdalena’s time at the 2015 Kazan World Championships stand at 29:62 seconds in 50 metre freestyle while Tumiotto trumps her by 1:30 seconds, so it is quite logical that the latter deserves that chance.
He added: “Tumiotto is also 0.84 seconds ahead of Mariam Foum who recorded 29.19 in the Commonwealth Games held in Scotland.
“Well, she hasn’t qualified yet, but look at how she won medals at the Dubai International Aquatics Championships.
“She bagged three medals; gold in 50m backstroke (32.77), bronze in 200m freestyle (2.15.59 minutes) and another bronze in 400m freestyle (4.49.40),”said Kalengela.
Dar Swim Clun through its secretary general Inviolata Itatiro also wrote to the TOC questioning the selection of Magdalena who has been idle since the Kazan championships
“Other swimmers are not given an opportunity to compete. What has happened begs the question: Does she have a comparative advantage because her father is the chairperson of TSA?” read part of the Itatiro’s latter.
The TSA secretary general, Ramadhan Makoveka, declined to comment on the grounds used to pick Magdalena, saying it is up to the TOC (Tanzania Olympic Committee) to make the final decision.
“I have nothing to say about the selection. We have submitted the names to the TOC, so maybe its secretary general (Filbert Bayi) can speak about it.
“It is the TOC now that has mandate to explain issues pertaining to the Olympics and our representatives,” said Namkoveka.
Pressed for comment, Bayi said it is either the TSA or the world swimming governing body, Fina, that can go into details of the matter, stressing that the TOC’s role is collect the names of the athletes from all sports associations.
TSA technical director Amina Mfaume said the Melbourne-based swimmer was not favoured, instead they considered her experience in the world championships as per World Swimming Federations (Fina) criteria.
“It is true that she did not compete at the national event, but last year, she featured in many tournaments including the world championships, so how can you drop such a swimmer?” she queried.
Efforts to reach the TSA chairman for comment via telephone were all in vain.
