Kuwait Swimming Takes on FINA -- Federations Focus

(ATR) The Kuwait Swimming Association (KSA) has issued a formal complaint against FINA and the Asian Swimming Federation (AASF) for the "unfair and groundless preferential treatment" of Husain Al Musallam.

But Al Musallam, currently the International Aquatics Federation’s first vice president, has the support of the Kuwait Swimming Federation (KSF), which is recognized by both FINA and the AASF as the legitimate swimming organization for the country.

The KSA is an interim committee that was created in the void left when the Kuwait Public Authority of Sports dissolved the country's NOC and national federations last summer. The law that granted the KPAS those powers was found in violation of the Olympic Charter and Kuwait's NOC remains suspended by the IOC.

The KSA, in a 13-page letter to FINA, points out the specific FINA rules that grant domestic federations the sole right to choose the officials to represent countries in international governance.The KSA says it formally notified both FINA and the AASF on Oct. 3, 2016 that it was withdrawing Al Musallam’s nomination as a delegate.

Despite the KSA’s wishes, Al Musallam is a candidate for FINA Bureau membership and has been nominated to another term as FINA vice president. The FINA General Congress, meeting on July 22 in Budapest, is scheduled to vote on both.

The KSA is asking FINA to "openly clarify its position" and respond to the complaint before the General Congress meets. If not, the KSA says it will bring the issue up for the General Congress to address.

The request will likely fall on deaf ears, however, given that neither FINA nor the AASF recognize the KSA.

In May, media reports implicated Al Musallam as a co-conspirator in a criminal trial against Guam Football Association President Richard Lai. Lai pleaded guilty to money laundering charges, saying he took nearly $1 million in bribes facilitated by two figures in the Asian Football Confederation and Olympic Council of Asia.

Al Musallam has denied the charges and remains in office. FINA has said it will "monitor the situation and take all measures deemed necessary following the conclusion of the various investigations." FINA has so far not launched an investigation of its own.

ITTF President Announces Three Appointments

International Table Tennis Federation President Thomas Weikert announces three key positions have been filled following his successful election campaign.

Khalil Al-Mohannadi has been appointed the ITTF Deputy President, a role that he has served since 2014 when the then Deputy President Weikert succeeded Adham Sharara as president.

Al-Mohannadi ran against Weikert during the recent presidential race but announced his withdrawal about three weeks before the May 31 election. He publicly endorsed Weikert over the other remaining candidate, Jean-Michel Saive of Belgium.

Petra Sörlingof Sweden will continue her role as Vice-President of Finance while Steve Dainton of Australia will become the acting CEO. Dainton has been the ITTF Marketing Director since 2008.

"Steve Dainton’s long term vision for the sport, with an increased emphasis on commercialization and growth made him the ideal candidate to ensure the ITTF can develop to the next level," Weikert said in a statement.

Unprecedented Prize Fund for UCI Urban Cycling World Championships

The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is putting its money where its mouth is, when it comes to the 2017 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships.

The UCI announced an unprecedented total prize fund of €187,050 will be on offer for participants in the three disciplines represented at the event, which will be held from Nov. 8-12 in Chengdu, China.

Each UCI Elite World Champion in Trials, Mountain Bike Eliminator (XCE) and BMX Freestyle Park will receive a prize of €10,000. The principle of equality between genders and across the disciplines, which has been standard practice at all UCI World Championships since 2016, will benefit all competitors ranked from 1st to 12th place.

"The significant financial contributions awarded to participants are a sign of the importance of these World Championships for the UCI," President Brian Cookson said in a statement.

"The equal prize money between genders reflects our commitment to the further development of women's cycling across all its disciplines, and I thank the organizer for the efforts made in this regard."

Written by Gerard Farek

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