A day after the Asian Swimming Federation (AASF) put forth Husain Al-Musallam as a candidate for the FINA presidency, the African Swimming Confederation (CANA) offered its backing Sunday.
CANA announced its decision Sunday, with Treasurer-General Jace Naidoo reading a statement on behalf of CANA president Sam Ramsamy. Naidoo was in Muscat, Oman, where the AASF met a day earlier. The statement read:
“Husain has some very creative ideas to accelerate FINA into a new era – especially taking into consideration the various challenges that are presently arising globally both in the aquatics and economic environment. We were therefore very excited to hear of Husain’s nomination for the position of FINA President for the elections scheduled for 2021. Husain has the full support and endorsement of CANA for this post, as we believe his credentials over the last few years in FINA have clearly shown that he has the calibre of leadership to take FINA to greater heights. Good luck Husain.”
Al-Musallam is the first Asian nominee for the FINA presidency. He’s seen as a favorite to replace Uruguayan Julio Maglione, who has held the position since 2009, when FINA’s elections are held in Doha, Qatar, June 5, 2021.
Al-Musallam has a long history in athletics administration. A swimmer for Kuwait in the 1970s, he’s been in the FINA Bureau since 1996 and is its current First Vice President. He’s also been part of the Olympic Council of Asia since 1982, the OCA’s Executive Board since 2003 and General Director since 2005. He was appointed the Secretary General of the Kuwait Olympic Committee in 2019 and will lead the delegation to the rescheduled 2021 Olympic Games in Tokyo.
“As I begin my campaign for this important role, I feel humbled to be able to count on the support of my friends in Africa,” Al-Musallam said in acknowledging the African endorsement. “It is a continent that has made great progress in aquatics in recent years, and if I am elected FINA President I pledge that I will work tirelessly to unlock further potential in all the countries of the world.”