Swimming Sa Takes New Water Polo Body To Court Amid Interference Claims

Swimming South Africa SSA is seeking an urgent court interdict to block the newly formed South African Water Polo SAWP group from what it says is interfering in the running of the aquatic discipline in the country.

SSA CEO Shaun Adriaanse alleged SAWP formed by disgruntled water polo enthusiasts was purporting to run the sport and was disrupting his body's efforts to select and prepare players ahead of a continental tournament in Zimbabwe next month, and even the world championships later this year.

SSA named 14 respondents in papers before the Cape Town high court, most of them directors and interim executive committee members of the new body, including former national womens team coach Delaine Mentoor and respected sports lawyer Matty Kemp.

SAWP was established by disgruntled water polo enthusiasts who felt SSA was not managing water polo properly, particularly after despite qualifying t he national mens and womens water polo teams were not sent to the Paris Olympic Games. SAWP stated their intention was to get recognition from the national federation and work alongside it.

SSA runs water polo, swimming, artistic swimming and diving and enjoys recognition from both World Aquatics and the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee Sascoc.