(Posted 14th August 2025)
The President of Seychelles, Wavel Ramkalawan, made an unusual move during a national press conference on 13 August, publicly accusing the country’s aquatic sports federation of undermining a young athlete’s international career. The allegations, made without supporting evidence, have raised serious questions about political interference in the independent governance of sport.
The unnamed athlete, a dual-national based and trained abroad, has represented Seychelles in multiple international competitions and benefited from the full institutional support of the federation. This includes endorsements that secured major scholarships and Olympic development grants. Contrary to the President’s claims, no formal action was taken by the federation to exclude or penalize the athlete.
What is clear is that the federation’s actions remained consistent with international standards, including established policies around youth safeguarding, athlete eligibility, and the responsible use of public funds. Travel support was provided for athletes and officials, but not for accompanying family members—standard practice across national sporting bodies. Despite this, the athlete’s family declined federation-arranged chaperoning and insisted on private arrangements, leading to broader logistical challenges.
Observers have noted that concerns regarding the athlete’s participation in a recent regional competition were initiated not by the federation, but by foreign coaches representing other countries—yet the federation has been publicly targeted by the country’s Head of State.
This incident follows a troubling trend in which populist rhetoric is used to publicly discredit institutions operating within their mandate. For a Head of State to elevate a personal grievance into a matter of national accusation, without substantiation, risks politicizing sport and undermining athlete development efforts that require stability, consistency, and institutional trust.
In a small island state where resources are limited and international representation is a national point of pride, collaboration—not public scapegoating—is vital. Calls are growing for the depoliticization of sport and a recommitment to merit-based, athlete-focused development policies free from political manipulation.
