Tunisian Swimming Federation President Announces Shock Naturalisation of Young Swimmer
Tunis, Feb 27 2026 – Hedia Mansour, president of the Tunisian Swimming Federation (FTN), announced on Wednesday that swimmer Rami Rahmouni has been officially naturalised to represent Saudi Arabia. She condemned the involvement of “Tunisian” intermediaries, whose identities she chose not to disclose, in this change of sporting allegiance.
Background
-
Break with Tunisian bodies:
In a statement to the Tunisian Press Agency (TAP), Mansour clarified that Rahmouni has had no contact with the FTN, the Tunisian National Olympic Committee (CNOT), or his home club Espérance Sportive de Tunis for almost two years. -
Significant financial support:
The federation’s supervisory authority had allocated substantial funding to the athlete through a performance‑target contract worth 165,000 TND, plus additional CNOT scholarships. At 17 years old, Rahmouni was among the most financially supported Tunisian athletes.
A “True Shock” for the Federation
Mansour described Rahmouni’s naturalisation as a “genuine shock” for the FTN, noting that his social and sporting situation was comfortable and stable—unlike many athletes in other disciplines. She reminded that the federation and its supervisory body had invested heavily in:
- Overseas training camps
- Guaranteeing participation in international competitions
“Material Temptations” and a Warning to Tunisian Sport
The president argued that the young swimmer succumbed to “material temptations.” She framed the naturalisation as a warning signal for Tunisian sport, especially elite disciplines, highlighting the risk of losing promising talent.
“We must act wisely to curb the growing threat of high‑level athletes switching nationalities, especially as major world and Olympic events approach,” Mansour warned.
A Call for Stronger National Commitment
Mansour cited Olympic and World champion Oussama Mellouli as a role model, noting that Mellouli has always refused naturalisation offers to defend Tunisia’s colours. She urged stakeholders to:
- Protect elite sport and reinforce athletes’ sense of national belonging.
- Improve support for high‑performance athletes through increased investment and sponsorship contracts.
- Remove bureaucratic obstacles, particularly for bank transfers to Tunisian athletes living abroad.
Example of Bureaucratic Hurdles
Mansour recounted a case where a young expatriate swimmer could not receive his federation‑issued encouragement bonus because of legal complexities, leaving him unable to cover basic expenses, train, or even pay rent.
Update on Other Tunisian Swimmers
When asked about the recent success of Ayoub Hafnaoui and Ahmed Jaouadi, who medalled at the Southeast U.S. University Championships, Mansour praised their talent and commitment to Tunisia beyond material considerations.
- Jaouadi’s performance‑target contract is in order.
- Hafnaoui’s contract is currently being finalised.
Rahmouni’s Past Achievements
- African Junior Champion – won multiple gold medals in the 200 m, 400 m, 800 m, and 1500 m freestyle events.
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