The Samoa Triathlon Federation (S.T.F.) has a new executive after a special general meeting convened Thursday night led to the ousting of the former officeholders.

However, the ousted S.T.F. president Seti Afoa, who also attended the special general meeting on Thursday night and witnessed the voting, issued a statement at 3.39 am early Friday morning criticising the ousting of him and his executive.

The special general meeting was chaired by Mr. Afoa with the assistance of longtime S.T.F. member, Bernie Poort. According to a statement released by the new executive, Mr. Afoa spoke at length to respond to a letter of requisition submitted by the S.T.F. members calling for a vote of no-confidence in him and his vice-president Mike Webster.

His objections to the procedure and appeals to the members were noted. Several of the members present, including parents of the athletes, also shared their views. A vote was then held by secret ballot and then counted in front of the assembly. There were 46 votes in favour of removing Mr. Afoa and Mr. Webster from their positions, and 1 vote for them to be retained.

Mr Poort expressed appreciation on behalf of all to Mr. Afoa and Mr. Webster for their many years of service to the triathlon sport in Samoa. Elections were then carried out for the new executive board of the S.T.F. with the following getting the nod: Arthur Mulitalo (President), Wolly Collins (Vice President), Darren Young (Secretary), Susie Poort (Treasurer), John Alailima (Executive Board Member), and Tafaifaosalamasina Jennifer Brooks (Executive Board Member).

The new STF executive then expressed their appreciation to the members of the SASNOC Board who attended this Special General Meeting as official observers: Tuaopepe Jerry Wallwork, Leasi Ioane Galuvao and Tuiletufuga Fritz Tuiavii. 

"We express our heartfelt thanks to all the S.T.F. members who attended - triathletes, parents, volunteers, family supporters and more. Special appreciation to the young ones who were incredibly patient (and quiet!) during the long proceedings."

However, in his statement issued early Friday morning, Mr. Afoa claimed the "official count of registered voters revealed a vote of 16-6 in favour of President Seti Afoa retaining his position, with Vice President Mike Webster also maintaining his role."

"However, the opposing group, Triathlon Samoa who introduced the motion conducted a separate vote among its members," Mr. Afoa's statement reads. "It is important to note that the majority of the Triathlon Samoa members are not registered members of the federation, rendering their vote inconsequential and non-binding."

Mr. Afoa added that he also had to address "misinformation" that had been circulating among athletes on how leadership change would impact their participation in future events.

"Afoa reassured the meeting by affirming that the majority of the triathlon team for the upcoming Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands would be made up mostly of Apia-based triathletes."

The former S.T.F. president then listed his board as comprising the following: Seti Afoa (President), Mike Webster (Vice President), Lupematasila Rajendra Singh (General Secretary), and Savea Sinoti Iosefa, Steve Nimarota (Member).