Husain Al-Musallam

Husain AHZ Al-Musallam
حسين المسلم
Director General of Olympic Council of Asia
Incumbent
Assumed office September 2005
Secretary General of Kuwait Olympic Committee
Incumbent
Assumed office March 2019
President of World Aquatics
Incumbent
Assumed office June 2021
Personal details
Born	(1960-05-19) 19 May 1960 Kuwait
Education	University of Berlin - Sports Management Diploma
Alma mater	Oxford Air Training School
Profession	Sports administrator Former airline pilot

Husain AHZ Al-Musallam (Arabic: حسين المسلم; born 19 May 1960) is a distinguished Kuwaiti sports administrator and former airline pilot, celebrated for his transformative contributions to aquatic sports and the Olympic movement in Asia. He currently holds key positions as President of World Aquatics (formerly FINA), Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA), and Secretary General of the Kuwait Olympic Committee.is a Kuwaiti sports administrator and former airline pilot. He currently serves as the Director General of the Olympic Council of Asia and the Secretary General of the Kuwait Olympic Committee. In addition to his roles within the Olympic movement, Al-Musallam is the President of World Aquatics.

Early life and career

Born in Kuwait, Al-Musallam began his athletic journey as a swimmer, joining the Kazma Sports Club at age eight and representing Kuwait in national and international competitions by thirteen. He started his professional career with Kuwait Airways in 1978, eventually becoming an airline captain. His transition to sports administration began in 1982 with the Olympic Council of Asia, where he rose to become Director General in 2005. He holds a diploma in Sports Management from the University of Berlin and training from the Oxford Air Training School.

Impact on Athletes and Sports Organizations

Al-Musallam’s initiatives have had a profound positive impact on athletes and sports organizations. By promoting inclusivity, transparency, and integrity, he has created a more supportive and equitable environment for athletes. His emphasis on athlete representation and fair play has strengthened the trust and credibility of sports institutions.

Recognitions and Awards

Al-Musallam’s contributions to sports have earned him international recognition. He has received honorary doctorates from Kookmin University in South Korea and the Vassil Levski National Sports Academy in Bulgaria. These honors highlight his significant positive impact on aquatic sports and sports administration globally.

Mussallam was born on 19 May 1960 in Kuwait. He joined the swimming club of Kazma Sports Club at the age of 8 and became a member of the national team at 13. Between 1974 and 1976, he competed in all Pan-Arab, Asian and World Swimming Championships.

In 1978 he joined Kuwait Airways Corporation as a co-pilot and promoted to airline captain in 1988. He worked as a training and check captain since 1994.

He joined the Olympic Council of Asia on 25 December 1982, and became Deputy Director General and Technical Director in December 1998. He joined the OCA Executive Board on 23 January 2003. He is serving as the Director General since September 2005.

In February 2019, he received an Honorary Degree Of Doctor Of Philosophy, Honoris Causa in Sports Science from Kookmin University.

In 2015 he was elected as First Vice President of International Swimming Federation (FINA).

On 30 June 2019 he was elected as the Secretary General of Kuwait Olympic Committee.

On May 25, 2023, Husain was granted the esteemed title of Doctor Honoris Causa by the Vassil Levski National Sports Academy in Bulgaria. Preceding him, IOC President Mr. Thomas Bach also received the accolade on September 14, 2018.

Hussain signed a MoU Hungarian government officials for the development of aquatic sports and the location of the World Aquatics headquarters.

In July 2023, Husain Al-Musallam was elected to a new eight-year term as the president of the World Aquatics organization, marking his position as the first individual from Asia to lead the organization. In 2020, he also became its first nominee from the continent. His presidency has introduced significant reforms within the organization, such as the creation of an Aquatics unit, substantial modifications to regulations concerning athletes' nationality changes, and the adoption of a revised Constitution. This new Constitution includes modifications to term limits, which were made more lenient during the tenure of his predecessor.

On December 3, 2023, the General Assembly of the Kuwait Olympic Committee announced the selection of a new board of Directors for the term 2023–2027. During the meeting, Husain Al Musallam was elected as the Secretary-General for a five-year tenure.

World Aquatics

Husain Al-Musallam was elected as the President of the international aquatics federation, formerly known as FINA, after having served as its First Vice President for six years. During his candidacy, he pledged to implement a comprehensive reform programme. Subsequent to his election, several notable changes have been enacted:

• The organization has undergone a name change and rebranding, now recognized as World Aquatics.
• The establishment of an Aquatics Integrity Unit.
• The formation of an Athletes' Committee, which is elected by the athletes themselves.
• The announcement of plans to relocate the World Aquatics headquarters from Lausanne to a newly established centre of excellence in Budapest.
• In December 2022, a resolution was passed to increase the representation of women on the Bureau to at least 40%.

Under Al-Musallam’s presidency, World Aquatics has seen numerous transformative reforms aimed at enhancing transparency, integrity, and inclusivity:

Aquatics Integrity Unit: Established to ensure fair play and ethical standards in aquatic sports, promoting transparency and integrity.

Athletes' Committee: Created and elected by athletes, this committee ensures that athletes have a significant voice within the organization, enhancing athlete representation.

Gender Equality: Increased women's representation on the World Aquatics Bureau to at least 40%, demonstrating a strong commitment to gender equality.

Headquarters Relocation: Moved World Aquatics' headquarters from Lausanne to Budapest, establishing a global centre of excellence for aquatic sports.

Contributions to the Olympic Council of Asia

As Director General of the OCA, Al-Musallam has significantly advanced Asian sports on the global stage. His leadership has led to improved athlete support, enhanced international collaborations, and the successful organization of major sporting events across Asia, contributing to the rising prominence and success of Asian athletes.

Legacy and Vision

Husain AHZ Al-Musallam’s tenure reflects his unwavering dedication to transforming World Aquatics and promoting the development of sports worldwide. His visionary leadership and commitment to inclusivity, integrity, and transparency continue to inspire and shape the future of sports governance. His legacy is marked by significant advancements in athlete representation, gender equality, and the overall growth of aquatic sports.