The dramatic saga involving Birgu Regatta rower Nigel Sant continues. Sant was one of the rowers in the Kajjik Open Race section of the Regatta races which Birgu won in the 2024 Victory Day Regatta.. The saga commenced when the AIMS conducted a test on Sant which resulted positive for cocaine and other banned substances.
When Sant was presented with the results of the test in October/November, he accepted the charge and a sentence of three years suspension instead of four. After this admission, AIMS recommended that Ghaqda Regatta Nazzjonali remove the points won by Sant from the final Kajjik Open race result.
Birgu Regatta Club appealed and stated that in their arguments, rowing in this case was a team sport and not an individual one. AIMS referred to international sporting rules where rowing was defined as an individual sport. After the AIMS Appeals board heard both arguments, the board decided that the original decision should stand.
Birgu Regatta Club were not content with this decision and filed a prohibitory injunction in court in front of Judge Antonio Depasuqlae who threw it out in a decision made last week. Judge Depasquale ordered that the original decision of a three-year suspension and a 12-point deduction should stand.
When finding out on this decision, Senglea Regatta Club celebrated with a post on their social media indicating that they were now winners of the 2024 Victory Day Regatta. The saga goes on.
