A dispute has emerged over the decision to award the 2025 Best Junior Male Swimmer title, after a parent formally challenged the selection process and questioned whether the right athlete was recognised.
In a letter dated 17 February 2026 to senior sports officials, Muriel Morgan criticised the decision to overlook her son, national junior swimmer Anthony Morgan. While congratulating the swimmer who was chosen, she said the outcome raised serious concerns about fairness and transparency within the selection system.
She argued that the committee relied only on FINA points, a scoring system based on performance in a single event. Although the selected swimmer recorded a higher score, she said this method ignored wider international results and overall contribution to national pride. She questioned whether the award truly recognised the country’s top junior swimmer or simply the strongest performance in one event.
The letter detailed Anthony Morgan’s 2025 results. At the CJSOI, he won bronze in the 1500m freestyle and was the only male swimmer on the team to secure a medal. At the World Junior Championships in Romania, both swimmers competed but neither reached the podium. He also competed at the Africa Aquatics Zone 4 Championships in Manzini, where he returned with seven medals, including one gold, four silver and two bronze, and was identified as a rising athlete following the competition.
Mrs Morgan said the decision sent the wrong message to athletes and warned that failing to recognise broader achievement could undermine confidence in the system. She called for the result to be reviewed and for officials to reassess how national sporting excellence is judged. Authorities have not yet issued a public response.