Salim Ilass was elected president of the Algerian Swimming Federation during the latest General Assembly. The 51-year-old official assumes the leadership role following a vote by the organization's members. The election process concluded with the formal selection of Salim Ilass, who now takes the helm of the national governing body for the sport.
Addressing the assembly after his election, Salim Ilass said, "The transition from a career as an international swimmer to the presidency of the federation is a very logical path. I had been wondering for years if I was capable of taking on this responsibility, which is what ultimately led me to submit my candidacy. Today, I feel proud to have earned the trust of the members of the General Assembly."
Background and Management Experience
Salim Ilass brings previous leadership experience to his new role, having served as the president of the organizing committee for the Mediterranean Games in Oran in 2022. Regarding this past appointment, Salim Ilass stated, "This experience added a lot to me in the field of management, and it will certainly be useful to me in my new mission. Also, combining technical experience and administrative experience is essential for every sports official." His tenure during the Mediterranean Games involved overseeing complex logistics and high-level athletic programming, providing him with a foundation for his current administrative duties.
The new leadership intends to implement a reform project intended to bridge the gap between Algerian swimming results and international standards. This initiative relies on utilizing national expertise located both inside and outside the country. By tapping into this diverse pool of knowledge, the federation aims to modernize its approach to training and competition. Salim Ilass commented on the current state of the sport, noting, "The responsibility for this decline does not lie with the athletes, but is mainly due to the policy pursued in this specialty. Thanks to our experience on the international stage, we will work to revive Algerian swimming again."
To support these objectives, the Algerian Swimming Federation plans to establish specialized training centers for swimming coaches in Algiers, Oran, and other provinces. These facilities will operate in coordination with the Ministry of Sports. The establishment of these centers is intended to standardize coaching methodologies across the country, ensuring that instructors are equipped with the latest techniques to improve athlete performance.
Salim Ilass emphasized the necessity of a structural overhaul, saying, "The restructuring process must start from the base to reach the top, and trust must be rebuilt between athletes and managers. Trust and transparency will be our motto, as well as the need to unite the swimming family." The federation’s strategy prioritizes a cohesive environment where athletes and management work toward common goals, supported by the new infrastructure and the expertise of the broader swimming community.
