Swimming South Africa Accused of Misleading Parliament Over Water Polo Funding

Swimming South Africa (SSA) is under fire after Schools Water Polo South Africa (SWPSA) and independent body Elevate Water Polo challenged the accuracy of statements made to Parliament about financial gain in the sport.

During a recent presentation to the Sport, Arts and Culture portfolio committee, SSA President Alan Fritz claimed that the conflict with South Africa Water Polo (SAWP) – a newly formed independent body – stems from the sport’s commercial value. He specifically alleged that an individual was paid R500,000 to write a coaching manual.

But SWPSA and Elevate Water Polo have firmly denied these allegations, calling them “categorically false” and “a severe misrepresentation.”

“The SWPSA and Elevate Water Polo are compelled to address the mistruths and factual inaccuracies contained within these statements,” they said in a joint statement. “If left unchallenged, there is a danger that they may be believed to be true.”

The manual in question was not downloaded from the internet, as Fritz claimed, but developed over five years by a team of experts — with input from school bodies and Elevate Water Polo. It was designed to address a critical gap in coaching education within South African water polo.

Sources familiar with the project describe it as “the most robust water polo development curriculum on the continent.”

The statement adds: “This initiative does not represent a governance failure, but rather responsible and proactive governance by SWPSA.”

Fritz has not responded to queries from journalists about his parliamentary comments.

Athlete Funding Claims Also Disputed

SSA’s Operations Manager Mafata Modutoane also made claims in Parliament that all black athletes who competed internationally in 2023 did so at zero cost — citing R4.5 million spent on athletes and R2.9 million from the National Lotteries Commission earmarked for black participation.

However, Daily Maverick spoke to a black athlete’s parent who said they had to crowdfund for their child’s tours and never received financial support from SSA.

“We were never offered help to pay the fees. In fact, when I asked if they could scrap the balance, they refused,” said the parent, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of victimisation.

A donor who sponsored a black national water polo player echoed this concern and said they would no longer provide support after SSA’s misleading statements.

SSA has yet to provide evidence of the funding breakdown requested by media outlets.

What’s Next?

With a court battle between SSA and SAWP looming next month, tensions in the sport continue to rise. At the heart of the matter is the question of transparency, governance, and who gets to shape the future of water polo in South Africa.

For now, the accusations from both sides are fuelling a growing debate about accountability in South African sport.

{Source Daily Maverick}

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