The PSD requested this Tuesday the hearing of the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports on the public differences between athletes and the Portuguese Judo Federation, considering that the situation has “very serious contours.”
In a request signed by the vice president of the bench and JSD leader Alexandre Poço, the Social Democrats justify the request after it was reported that the Portuguese Judo Federation had fired coach Ana Hormigo, a day before the Portuguese team traveled to to compete. in the Grand Slam of Abu Dhabi, qualifying competition for the 2024 Olympic Games.
“After this dismissal, Telma Monteiro, the most awarded Portuguese judoka in history, came out with strong criticism of the Federation and the management of that institution chaired by Jorge Fernandes,” says the PSD, recalling that this athlete had already accused, along with others, the leader of oppression and discrimination within the Federation.
The PSD points out that, in parallel, it was reported that the Portuguese Judo Federation “will have informed two athletes of the lack of funds, making it impossible for them to prepare for and attend the 2024 Olympic Games.”
“This fact contrasts with the reinforcement of the financing of the 2024 Olympic Project announced by the Secretary of State, having signed the respective program contracts on October 14,” underlines the party.
The PSD Parliamentary Group “considers it necessary and urgent to clarify this very serious situation”, justifying the request for a parliamentary hearing by the Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, João Paulo Correia.
On Monday, the official lamented the differences between the athletes and the Portuguese Judo Federation, considering that there are situations in the sport that “have to be clarified.”
“I regret that common sense has not prevailed in sport, and given the accusations made by a group of athletes regarding the Federation, it is important to clarify some situations,” said João Paulo Correia, on the sidelines of a visit to the Paços facilities. de Ferreira, a club in the First Football League.
João Paulo Correia identified two aspects of the problem, one related to “transparency and rigor in spending the Olympic preparation of athletes in sport”, which he considers “will have to be the Portuguese Olympic Committee (COP) to clarify with the Federation” and another that includes the fact that “some athletes said that the federation informed them that there were no longer funds for their preparation [olímpica]”.
The head of the Government, who had previously mediated some differences between athletes and the federation, said that “he cannot pretend that there is not a serious disagreement in sport”, but he believes that “it can be solved”.
“We are in a phase of searching for answers to the complaints made and in due course the situation will be clarified. On August 15, it was possible to promote an agreement between the federation and a group of athletes”, recalled João Paulo Correia.
In the summer, athletes such as Telma Monteiro, Catarina Costa, Patrícia Sampaio, Rochele Nunes, Bárbara Timo, Anri Egutidze and Rodrigo Lopes wrote a letter accusing the president of the Portuguese Judo Federation, Jorge Fernandes, of oppression, discrimination and threats , lamenting the “unsustainable and toxic climate”.
The federative leader responded by saying that athletes have rights and duties and cannot “denigrate the image of people”, again denying the accusations made in the open letter, recalling that in relation to the funds for the Olympic project “there is no there is money for everyone. “.
On Monday, Telma Monteiro denounced that the Portuguese Judo Federation fired coach Ana Hormigo, one day before the team traveled to compete in the Grand Slam of Abu Dhabi, qualifying for the Olympic Games.
The president of the federation responded by saying that Ana Hormigo was not fired, but removed from the selections, explaining in statements to Lusa that the case is being handed over to the organization’s lawyers.
Source: TSF
