SWIMMING STAR DAMIEN SUSPENDED

MBABANE – The Eswatini Swimming Association (ESA) has announced the temporary suspension of swimming prodigy Damien de Sousa due to alleged disciplinary issues.

This happens at a time when the national team prepares for the Africa Aquatics Zone IV Championships in Namibia. The ESA national team set off yesterday morning, departing for OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, where they are scheduled to catch a connecting flight to Windhoek, the Namibian capital. This prestigious event, running from today through Sunday, will host 14 nations from across the African continent, showcasing a remarkable array of aquatic talent. Sources close to the situation have revealed that De Sousa’s suspension stems from his failure to attend a mandatory training camp held last week at Simunye’s Mlawula Game Reserve.

Disappointed

“I was deeply disappointed to hear about Damien de Sousa’s absence from the mandatory training camp. As a gifted young athlete, his talents would have been a valuable asset to our team in the upcoming championships,” noted one insider.  “His decision not to attend the camp, despite being aware of its importance to our preparations for the tournament, was a significant setback for the association.” The repercussions of De Sousa’s absence extend beyond the immediate suspension. It will adversely affect his future participation in international competitions. Alongside missing the Namibia championships, he will also forfeit the opportunity to compete in the esteemed Budapest tournament in Hungary, which is set to occur shortly after the African championships. “De Sousa was expected to travel to Hungary alongside his teammate, Siwakhile Dlamini, after the championships in Namibia,” the source added. Further confirmation of the suspension has come from ESA Secretary General Nozipho Mahlalela.

Investigation

She stated: “I can confirm that Damien de Sousa has been suspended from all association activities pending an investigation. The decision to suspend the athlete was made following his failure to attend the mandatory training camp, which was deemed a violation of association regulations.” Mahlalela expressed her confidence in the national team, wishing them well as they embark on the championships. “I am confident that our athletes will make us proud and return home with a multitude of medals,” she stated. Darius Dlomo, Chief Executive Officer of the Eswatini Sports and Recreation Council (ESRC), has also acknowledged De Sousa’s suspension, describing it as an internal matter. “We are aware of the suspension of Damien de Sousa and this is an internal matter,” he remarked. Last year’s competition in Angola saw the Eswatini swimmers achieve remarkable success, amassing a total of 16 medals, with 13-year-old Luca Fraser impressively winning 10 medals.

Hayley Hoy, 16, secured four medals, while De Sousa contributed to the team’s success with a bronze medal, helping the squad achieve 22 personal best times. The importance of discipline within Eswatini’s sporting community has been underscored by another incident involving national football team Coach Zdravko Logarusic, who temporarily dropped Kwakhe Tfwala from the squad for a CHAN qualifier against Zimbabwe due to lateness for a training session. Although Tfwala was later reinstated for the crucial Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifying matches against Guinea-Bissau and Mali, the incident serves as a reminder of the standards expected from athletes at all levels.

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