World Aquatics has attained A1 status, the top governance tier in the ASOIF sixth review, the federation announced this week under President Husain Al-Musallam. The upgrade from A2 reflects progress in transparency, integrity, democracy and sustainability, placing it among 14 leading federations in world sport.
The ASOIF review is independently moderated by I Trust Sport and evaluates federations against measurable indicators in five key sections. According to the published findings, the A1 group now includes World Aquatics along with World Athletics, World Rugby and others that achieved the 210-point threshold. World Aquatics’ advancement highlights the impact of initiatives introduced since Al-Musallam took office in 2021. The president previously oversaw the transition from FINA to the more inclusive World Aquatics name in December 2022. This rebranding formed part of broader efforts to enhance the organization’s global standing and governance standards.
Data from the ASOIF report shows that seven additional federations joined the A1 category this cycle, doubling the number from the prior review. The assessment examined areas such as financial control mechanisms, stakeholder representation and long-term development programs. A World Aquatics statement attributed the success to sustained focus on best practices in all operational domains. The federation has also expanded participation in its events, with a record 206 countries competing in recent world championships according to earlier reports from the organization. Such growth aligns with the sustainability and development pillars evaluated in the governance score.
Al-Musallam, a Kuwaiti national, was re-elected unopposed for an eight-year term in 2023, consolidating his vision for the sport. The governance task force communicated thresholds in advance, with A1 set at 210 points or higher. World Aquatics’ score places it firmly in the leading cohort. The organization has prioritized integrity and anti-doping measures in recent years. Observers have noted the steady progress through the governance bands since the first review in 2017.
The review process has placed increasing emphasis on measurable outcomes in transparency and control mechanisms. Previous cycles saw World Aquatics advance from lower tiers as it implemented structural reforms. ASOIF data from the latest exercise confirms 14 federations now hold A1 status. The independent moderation by I Trust Sport ensured consistency across all 36 assessed bodies. This places aquatics governance on par with leading federations like FIFA and World Athletics.
Arab Times reported that Al-Musallam leads World Aquatics to this prestigious A1 governance status, highlighting the Kuwaiti executive’s role in elevating the federation’s international profile. The recognition is expected to support further development in aquatic disciplines worldwide. It arrives ahead of major championships and follows the federation’s move of headquarters to Hungary. The full ASOIF report details scores across the five pillars for all international federations. World Aquatics intends to build on this foundation in future reviews.
