Samoa’s sports governing body has given the Samoa Triathlon Federation until September to resolve its leadership crisis or be suspended as a sporting entity from its register. 

The letter from the Samoa Association of Sports & National Olympic Committee (S.A.S.N.O.C.) was dated 22 June 2023 and addressed to Seti Afoa and Arthur Mulitalo, who have both claimed they were legitimately elected president in a Special General Meeting convened by the STF membership on 15 June 2023.

The S.A.S.N.O.C. President Pauga Talalelei signed the 22 June 2023 letter from the sports governing body and also copied it to Darren Young and Rajendra, both representing the S.T.F. but in the opposition factions.

In the letter, Mr. Talalelei noted that there are now two separate executive board members of the S.T.F. “including two Presidents, two Secretaries, Treasurers…etc”

He wrote that the S.T.F. as a registered entity with the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Labour (M.C.I.L.) should only have one executive and issues relating to their “constitution and amended constitution” is now being challenged.

“The concerns raised on the non-active of S.T.F. in the last three (3) years and financial were not explained and resolved,” wrote the S.A.S.N.O.C. President. “The concerns of members and athletes of no training programs and last three (3) of so years had impacted on athletes being missed out on many tournaments and competitions locally and abroad.”

Mr. Talalelei then urged the S.T.F. to seek legal advice as well as an independent accredited mediator in Samoa to assist them and gave both appointees until the end of September to resolve their differences.

“If you do not reach an agreement by end of September 2023, S.A.S.N.O.C. has authority to suspend S.T.F. from being a member and take over all your athletes under S.A.S.N.O.C. umbrella.

“The athletes are the centre and core values of the Olympic charter and movement therefore they should not be disadvantaged from not participating in the upcoming Pacific Games in Solomon Islands in November 2023.”

Mr. Mulitalo – who was elected the president when the S.T.F. members met last month at the Special General Meeting mustering 46-1 votes – told Samoa Observer on Saturday that he was disappointed with the decision by S.A.S.N.O.C.

“We tried to address the issue of an absentee President and inactive Board by following our constitution to hold a Special General Meeting that was conducted with S.A.S.N.O.C. approval and with the attendance of their Board members,” he said in an email reply to questions sent by this newspaper. “The vote of no-confidence [in Seti Afoa] was carried 46 to 1 and our new Executive was then elected – a leadership board made up of triathletes and parents. 

“By refusing to recognize the outcome, S.A.S.N.O.C. is denying the voices of athletes. The very people who should be at the core and heart of the Olympic Charter.”

Despite the sports governing body’s decision, Mr. Mulitalo said they will not be discouraged from their commitment to the sport and their athletes' training continues amid the federation’s governance issues.

“Our training continues and we are proud of all the athletes and coaches who are working hard, six days a week still, in spite of SASNOC letting them down. We held our National Trials last Saturday, and every athlete on the National Squad broke their personal best times. 

“We now have two triathletes with results that place them in the very best of the region, and the others are working hard to follow. We also have an amazing para triathlete who is a contender for gold.”

While there are concerns that the leadership crisis will impact athletes’ participation at the upcoming Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, Mr. Mulitalo said they’ve submitted a list of athletes to SASNOC for the Honiara event. However, he said both the selected athletes and coaches have resolved they will not travel if the management of the STF is “under an executive who does not have their best interests at heart”.

“But our athletes and coaches are united in their purpose that they are one team. They will not go to Solomon Islands if triathlon is under an Executive who does not have their best interests at heart.  

“We have other international races on our calendar that we are preparing for and fundraising for. We are excited for the athletes to have those opportunities.”

Responding to questions emailed by this newspaper, Mr. Afoa said on Sunday that he is happy to show their "files, bank statements and proxy votes including our membership register, membership applications and approval by the board" which would confirm his re-appointment as legitimate.

He asked this newspaper to meet with him this coming Friday, which is when he will show the documentation to respond to some of the allegations raised against his executive.