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Geophrey Sifani Sports Reporter
TWO South African-based Zimbabwean swimmers Luke and Jamie Isemonger have accused Matabeleland Swimming Board president Lorna Riley of allegedly frustrating their dream of representing the country. The Isemonger brothers told Chronicle Sport that Riley’s hard line stance had forced Luke, 21, to put his swimming career on hold and Jamie, 18, to represent South Africa.

“It started off when we were still youngsters. There is something she told us and instructed that we shouldn’t tell our father, but we did and she never liked us from then on,” said Jamie. He said they realised that their careers wouldn’t go anywhere with Riley still in charge and decided to relocate to South Africa in 2013.

“She seems to have taken things too personal and that was jeopardising our careers. She told me to go back to South Africa when I met her last year expressing my desire to return and swim for Zimbabwe,” Jamie said.

Jamie this year represented South Africa at the Commonwealth Games held in September in Samoa where he scooped seven medals, two gold, one silver and four bronze.

“Even when we were signed to swim for South Africa, the Minister (of Sport Andrew Langa then) questioned why we were leaving, but she couldn’t provide a satisfactory answer.

“There was little we could do as well because we were not allowed to represent Zimbabwe when we tried to return. She was determined to keep our talent out of Zimbabwe,” Jamie said. His older brother Luke said he had put his swimming career on hold as his only desire is to represent Zimbabwe.

“I’m not swimming at the moment. I want to return and swim for my country despite the controversies presently at play. I know Riley will be against me returning because she has taken all this personal as she always asks why we left in the first place,” said Luke.

He said he has won several gold medals in the South African National Championships and junior competitions since relocating to South Africa in 2013, but wants to return and be part of the revival of swimming in Zimbabwe. When Chronicle Sport inquired about the Isemonger brothers, Riley said Jamie “is not a Zimbabwe swimmer”.

“Jamie grew up here and then transferred to Durban. He has a South African passport and as such is eligible to swim for South Africa. His performance was excellent,” Riley said in an emailed response.

However, the two brothers said they were holders of valid Zimbabwean passports. “We’re in possession of valid Zimbabwean passports,” said Luke.

The two said they train with multiple Olympic gold medallist Chad le Clos in South Africa and their medals’ haul prove that they are progressing well. “Only Kirsty Coventry has won more medals than me among Zimbabwean swimmers,” Luke said.