The transition has drowned Madagascan sport in the crisis

The sports´ HAT minister, Jean André Ndremanjary was a bit too much involved in the 8th Indian Ocean Island Games? The former basketball player acted like a delegation leader, although he was supposed to join the Seychelles in order to attend regional ministerial meetings. His decision to withdraw the Madagascar´s men basketball team at the semi final stage was regrettable. “It’s a political decision produced by the Minister of Sports,” commented journalists.

Minister Ndremanjary does not deny it. The whole team will not be playing as long as the quite recently naturalized American citizen – whose name is more or less homegrown though differently: Charles. Not a single backstreet tournament would accept such a decision. It is an evidence of lack of courage and confidence. This irrelevant misunderstanding could never be enough to justify the whole team´s withdrawal. Indeed, the American malagasy Charles related controversy actually started long before the competition. The Seychelles complained to the Games´ Commission, and the new Malagasy was consequently not allowed to play.

According to the minister supportive Malagasy Olympic Committee´s president, each and every opponent refused to play against Madagascar with Charles in the starting five. However, the Commission approved his participation, but suspended him for one game on an indecent speech issue. This suspension was held as a ban. Due to pressure from Madagascar´s other opponents, the CIJ conceded and definitely banned Charles from the competition, hence the Minister´s “political reaction.”
No matter. Addressing a supposed violation of Madagascar´s national sovereignty would however be exaggerated. Technically speaking, competing athletes were recorded in June, yet the team´s yankee was naturalize only in August, argued the Seychelles. On this account, the poor Charles should even not have had to take off. Madagascar being suspected of resorting to a “mercenary” although other islands equally have naturalized athletes did not forcibly please the Malagasy Olympic Committee. Serge Ibaka, Congolese basketball player playing in the NBA, recently became a Spaniard, and will soon compete at the European Championships in 2011.
Jean André Ndremandjary is, thereafter, turning against the Barea. He appeared disgusted by the lack of seriousness reflected by stupid mistakes which would have paved the way for the opponent´s victory. “I’m no football player, although I know it to be true, that the goalkeeper may not grab a ball passed by his defense” he roared. The Minister did certainly not dare investments in football to harvest a first round´s early knock out at the Islands Games. “The Bareas received good care at the Carion center, and at the Malagasy federation´s” Clairefontaine “facilities, while other athletes had to make do with the “Complex Ampefiloha,” grumbles a member of the delegation. Besides, Malagasy footballers shocked furthermore their compatriots by celebrating at the Hazolahy concert despite their adventure without glory.

The HAT´s Prime Minister made no secret of his disappointment either regarding the Malagasy results at the Games in Seychelles. “All this has a reason,” conceded Camille Vital while noticing the Madagascan sport´s collapse after a long time reign in the Indian Ocean. “It is all up to the country´s reality, there are priorities,” he declared, and carefully denied that Sports would not be one of the government´s priorities.

According to the Prime Minister, “the crisis related lack of means,” would be the cause of this collapse. “We are not down for so much, we will do better next time,” he said. The minister who blamed it on the Games´ interference is not likely to be punished. The HAT´s Minister Ndremanjary already announced plans to restore various sports facilities and boost sports during the next four years. Will he be disqualified earlier? The score will decide