ALGIERS, March 14, 2025 – In 2025, Africa will benefit from four new Olympic swimming pools, made possible by a tripartite agreement signed in Algiers on Friday between the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ACNOA), the International Swimming Federation (World Aquatics), and the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
The signing took place at the “Abdelatif Rahal” International Conference Center during the 22nd General Assembly of ACNOA, which was attended by its president, Algerian Mustapha Berraf, World Aquatics President Hussein Ali Muslim from Kuwait, and a representative from the IOC.
The four Olympic swimming pools will be built in Angola, Rwanda, Cape Verde, and Lesotho. Additionally, Senegal’s pool will undergo upgrades in preparation for the Youth Olympic Games scheduled to take place in Dakar in 2026.
Kuwaiti Hussein Ali Muslim expressed his “delight at being in Algeria,” stating, “We signed this agreement to promote aquatic sports across Africa. This initiative extends beyond merely constructing pools; it includes a comprehensive program that features training for coaches, as well as workshops and study sessions for African athletes. If we succeed with this program, we will undoubtedly witness African athletes competing in the finals of the Olympic Games and World Championships, potentially winning medals at the upcoming Olympic event.”
He further added, “As part of our supplementary program, we are focused on developing infrastructure in various African countries. We also have the opportunity to appoint coaches under the auspices of the International Federation in disciplines such as swimming, diving, water polo, and rhythmic gymnastics, who will collaborate closely with national coaches. The financial costs will be borne by the International Federation.”
ACNOA President Mustapha Berraf welcomed the agreement, expressing his belief that it will bolster aquatic sports throughout the African continent.
Berraf emphasized, “This agreement will facilitate the construction of swimming pools in African countries that currently lack such facilities. These initiatives will strengthen the unity of the African sports movement, particularly among young talents. We have also proposed the construction of a new pool for the Youth Olympic Games in Dakar to support the preparation of athletes participating in this event.”
