ATHLETICS: Azemia misses out on African Championships |30 August 2013

Ned Azemia has missed out on the African Junior Championships which started yesterday in Mauritius.

According to the secretary general of the athletics federation, Wilfred Adrien, he was informed by organisers of this eleventh African Junior Championships that Azemia would not be able to compete as he did not meet the ‘technical rule regarding his age’.

Apparently only athletes who were born in the year 1994, 1995 and 1996 are eligible to compete at this competition and as Azemia was born in 1997, he therefore does not meet the qualifying age and as a result his accreditation papers were not processed.

This is surely a gross error by the athletics federation’s administration as their oversight in properly checking the criteria has surely caused much embarrassment and frustration to Azemia who was only informed on the eve of his departure of this problem.

Sports Nation also learned that Jean Yves Roseline is part of the squad taking part in the African Junior Championships where he will compete in the 100 and 200 metres.

The other Seychellois who left on Wednesday are Antoinette Esparon, Fabien Belle and Monica Samson, all three will be officiating at these championships.

Mr Adrien explained that the local federation has a memorandum of understanding with the Mauritian federation to assist in the upgrading of local officials and this competition provided a good opportunity for our officials to raise their level.
The whole delegation is expected back on Monday.