Tunis: Swimmer Rami Rahmouni has been officially naturalised to represent Saudi Arabia, President of the Tunisian Swimming Federation (FTN), Hedia Mansour, announced on Wednesday, expressing concerns over the involvement of unidentified 'Tunisian' intermediaries in this shift of sporting allegiance.
According to Agence Tunis Afrique Presse, Mansour disclosed that Rahmouni had severed all communication with the FTN, the Tunisian National Olympic Committee (CNOT), and his original club, Esp©rance Sportive de Tunis, for nearly two years. Mansour highlighted the extensive support Rahmouni received, including a performance-based contract worth 165,000 dinars, not accounting for additional CNOT scholarships, positioning him as one of the most supported athletes at the age of 17.
Mansour expressed that Rahmouni's switch was a significant surprise for the Federation, particularly as his social and sporting conditions were stable, unlike those of other athletes. The Federation had actively facilitated his overseas training and participation in international competitions. She interpreted Rahmouni's move as a result of 'material temptations' and a cautionary signal for Tunisian sports, specifically regarding the loss of young talent.
She underscored the increasing risk of high-level athletes being naturalised by different countries and urged stakeholders to tackle this trend wisely as major international and Olympic events approach. Mansour called for safeguarding elite athletes and enhancing their national loyalty, citing Olympic and World champion Oussama Mellouli as a role model for refusing naturalisation offers and representing Tunisia.
Mansour advocated for improved support for elite athletes, increased investment, and the establishment of sponsorship contracts, which are crucial for achieving top performance and podium finishes. She also emphasized removing bureaucratic barriers, particularly for Tunisian athletes abroad who encounter legal challenges.
She mentioned a case where a young expatriate swimmer's incentive bonus from the Federation could not be transferred due to administrative hurdles, affecting his ability to cover living expenses, train, or pay rent. Rahmouni's achievements include being crowned African Junior Champion, winning multiple gold medals in the 200m, 400m, 800m, and 1500m freestyle events.