Casablanca, April 28, 2025
In an atmosphere filled with enthusiasm and professionalism, Casablanca was the stage, this April 28, 2025, for the African Elective Wrestling Congress, held in the prestigious facilities of the Marriott Hotel. The congress officially began at 11:00 a.m. with an opening ceremony marked by high-level speeches.
Mr. Nenad Lalovic, President of the International Wrestling Federation and member of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), opened the session by warmly commending the efforts of the Kingdom of Morocco, which he described as a « locomotive of sports development in Africa. » He highlighted Morocco’s leading role in driving training and development programs that are essential for the growth of wrestling on the continent.
Next to speak was Ms. Nawal El Moutawakel, Vice-President of the IOC, who praised the excellent collaboration with Mr. Lalovic and emphasized the importance of strengthening efforts in support of the Olympic movement and wrestling in Africa.
Mr. Fouad Meskout, outgoing President of the African Wrestling Confederation, then presented a compelling review of his term, highlighting ambitious initiatives and tangible results achieved thanks to the synergy between the African Confederation and the International Federation.
The opening session concluded with the awarding of honorary distinctions:
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An honorary trophy to Ms. Nawal El Moutawakel for her outstanding commitment;
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An honorary trophy to Mr. Youssef Belkacemi, former President of the International School Sport Federation, for his contribution to sports development.
A Decisive Election: Fouad Meskout’s Overwhelming Victory
Following the adoption of the moral and financial reports as well as the minutes of the previous congress, representatives from 31 African federations began the electoral process.
Out of the 18 initially registered candidates:
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5 candidates withdrew before the vote;
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The Algerian candidacy was disqualified for failing to meet regulatory deadlines.
Ultimately, 8 candidates contested the 7 available positions. The well-organized vote resulted in a historic plebiscite:
Mr. Fouad Meskout was elected President of the African Wrestling Confederation with the overwhelming support of 30 out of 31 federations — a striking demonstration of trust and unity.
The consolidated results provide the following composition of the Executive Bureau:
| Position | Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| President | Fouad Meskout | Morocco |
| Vice-President | Urbaine Élise Sissa Mbedy | Cameroon |
| Secretary General | Mohamed Mahmoud Ali | Egypt |
| Deputy Secretary Gen. | Nestor Mamitiana Raveloson | Madagascar |
| Member | Allahjabo Suleiman Cabo Owlo | Sudan |
| Member | Honoré Kadjo Allou | Côte d’Ivoire |
| Member | Malick Ngom | Senegal |
International Recognition for Morocco
Closing the proceedings, Mr. Nenad Lalovic praised the outstanding quality of the Moroccan organization. He also congratulated the Kingdom for its growing stature in global sports, recalling that the awarding of the 2030 FIFA World Cup to Morocco and the recent performances of national teams herald an extraordinary momentum for all sports disciplines in the country.
Signed:
Fouad Meskout
President of the African Wrestling Confederation
