About the Federation
Iraq Aquatics is the official governing body responsible for the administration and development of aquatic sports (Olympic Swimming, Open Water Swimming, Diving, Water Polo) in the Republic of Iraq. The federation strives to expand the base of participants in these games and achieve success at both local and international levels.
Name and Organizational Structure
The federation was formerly known as the "Iraqi Swimming Federation." In 2023, its name was changed to the (Iraq Aquatics Federation - IQAF) to encompass a broader range of aquatic games. This change was in line with the global trend of renaming the international swimming federation (formerly FINA) to "World Aquatics," and the Asian federation as well, with the aim of unifying all aquatic sports under one umbrella:
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Swimming: Including its various strokes (Freestyle, Breaststroke, Backstroke, Butterfly).
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Open Water Swimming.
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Diving.
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Water Polo.
The federation is currently headed by Dr. Khalid Abdulwahid Kbeian, who also serves as the Prime Minister's Advisor for Sports Affairs. The administrative body of the federation works to organize events and championships and to develop plans to advance aquatic games in the country.
Administrative Structure
- The executive body of the federation consists of the President, Vice President, Secretary-General (Executive Director), Treasurer, and board members:
- ✓ President: Dr. Khalid Abdulwahid Kbian
- ✓ Vice President: Hisham Mohammed Kadhim
- ✓ Secretary-General: Dr. Yousif Sareeh AlFadly
- ✓ Treasurer: Haider Ali Hussein
- ✓ Board Member: Hassan Aryan Khaleel
- ✓ Board Member: Adnan Abduljaleel Majeed
- ✓ Board Member: Dr. Mohammed Mustafa Mohammed
- ✓ Board Member: Ayad Musheer Jasim
- ✓ Board Member: Ahmed Ibrahim Safar
- ✓ Board Member: Dr. Walaa Tareeq Hameed
- We work with a team spirit to represent Iraq in the best possible way at regional and international aquatic sports forums.
Goals, Vision, and Mission
Goals
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Promoting and Expanding Aquatic Sports: The federation works to increase the popularity of swimming, diving, water polo, and other aquatic games throughout Iraq.
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Organizing Local Championships: The federation holds regular championships for clubs and different age groups (juniors, youth, and seniors) to raise the level of competition and discover talent.
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Forming National Teams: The federation is responsible for selecting and training athletes to represent Iraq in international events, including Arab, Asian, and World Championships.
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Developing Technical Staff: The federation seeks to enhance the efficiency of coaches and referees by conducting specialized training and officiating courses.
Vision
To advance the state of aquatic games in Iraq to achieve a prestigious position at the local and international levels, and to create a new generation of champion athletes capable of competing and raising Iraq's name in international arenas.
This vision is realized through several key pillars:
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Expanding the Participation Base: Working to raise awareness of the importance of aquatic games and promoting them throughout Iraq to attract the largest possible number of young talents.
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Talent Development: Training swimmers and athletes according to the latest scientific training curricula to improve their performance and refine their skills.
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Keeping Pace with Global Development: Ensuring to follow the latest developments in the world of aquatic games and applying them locally, as well as actively participating in the meetings and conferences of continental and international federations.
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Enhancing the Spirit of Competition: Continuously organizing local championships and festivals to create a strong competitive environment among clubs and athletes.
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Honorable International Representation: Preparing and equipping national teams to participate in regional and international championships with the aim of achieving the best results and accomplishments.
Mission
The mission of Iraq Aquatics is to organize and develop aquatic games throughout Iraq, to provide an ideal and comprehensive environment that enables athletes, coaches, and referees to reach their full potential, and to represent Iraq honorably in all sports forums.
This mission can be detailed through the following commitments:
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Organizing Events: Establishing and organizing high-level local championships and competitions for various age groups to ensure the continuity of competition and athlete development.
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Supporting Talent: Discovering and nurturing promising talents and providing them with the best training and development programs.
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Qualification and Training: Continuously working to improve the efficiency of technical staff, including coaches, referees, and administrators, through advanced courses and workshops.
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Popularizing the Game: Striving to increase the popularity of aquatic games and make them accessible to everyone in different governorates of Iraq.
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Sportsmanship: Instilling the principles of sportsmanship and Olympic values, and promoting fair competition among all participants.
Recent Activities and Achievements
The federation actively participates in international forums. The President, Dr. Khalid Abdulwahid Kbeian, has attended the General Assembly meetings of both World Aquatics and Asia Aquatics. The federation is also keen on organizing local championships periodically, most notably the Iraqi Clubs Swimming Championship, which witnesses strong competition among Iraqi clubs.
On the international front, the federation works to qualify Iraqi swimmers to participate in continental and international championships, aiming to achieve honorable results and raise the flag of Iraq high.
Despite the challenges, Iraq Aquatics seeks to advance the state of aquatic games in Iraq and restore its glories, with a focus on building a new generation of athletes capable of competing and achieving success.
