By George Aluo, with agency report
Newly elected president of world swimming governing body, FINA, Husain Al-Musallam has vowed to make the welfare of swimmers his number one priority.
Al-Musallam who spoke after his election said swimmers should expect more prize money, a louder voice and enhanced support from FINA under his watch.
The newly elected FINA President highlighted the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, which he cited as a key reason for changes at the governing body.
Al-Musallam expanded on pledges made in his election manifesto to reduce annual costs of the governing body and provide greater support for athletes.
Among the plans was a pledge from Al-Musallam not to take a salary or receive compensation during his four-year term.
Al-Musallam said the decision was part of efforts to “lead by example”, before announcing plans to cut per diems of FINA Bureau members by half.
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“I want FINA to be able to send more money to the National Federations to be spent on development and I want to commit to spending more on the athlete’s programme and prize money.
“In order to do this, we need to reduce expenditure.
“FINA is currently spending far too much in administration and at its headquarters.
“I will take no payment, either through salary or other compensation, for any of my work with FINA.
“All people in FINA administration need to play our part, I plan to reduce per diems for Bureau members by half.
“We will all be beneficiaries as we all see the sport we love grow and flourish.”
The costs of FINA administration had been highlighted earlier in the Congress by a delegate from the Cook Islands, who questioned the disparity between staffing costs and development funding.
FINA reportedly spent CHF27.9 million (£22 million/$31 million/€25.5 million) on payroll during the four-year cycle from 2017 to 2020, while CHF21.4 million (£16.8 million/$24 million/€19.5 million) was spent on development funding.
