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The recent elections at Wydad Athletic Club have opened a new chapter in the history of one of Africa’s most iconic football institutions. I would like to begin by congratulating the newly elected president, Ibrahim El Assri, and board of directors, wishing them every success in leading Wydad through what could become one of the most important periods in the club’s history.
This is a moment of hope. It is also a moment of responsibility.
Many Wydad supporters see the election of a younger leadership team as an opportunity to bring fresh ideas, energy, and ambition to the club. These qualities are essential. However, youth alone cannot carry the weight of an institution with Wydad’s history, expectations, and responsibilities.
As Morocco prepares to host major international football events on the road to 2030, the spotlight will not only be on the national team but also on the country’s leading clubs. Wydad Athletic Club must be prepared to represent Morocco with excellence, both on and off the field. This requires strategic thinking, institutional stability, and experienced leadership.
For this reason, I believe the time has come to establish a Council of Wydad Elders—a non-executive advisory body composed of respected former players, experienced club officials, successful professionals, and distinguished Wydadis from Morocco and around the world.
This proposal is not intended to limit the authority of the newly elected board or to create a parallel leadership structure. On the contrary, it is meant to strengthen the board by giving it access to decades of accumulated experience and institutional memory.
Great organizations across the world understand that leadership is strongest when it combines innovation with wisdom. Governments rely on advisory councils. Major corporations have boards of advisors. Universities seek guidance from distinguished alumni. Even heads of state surround themselves with experienced counselors. Football clubs should be no different.
Wydad possesses an extraordinary wealth of talent beyond the current boardroom. Former players who have succeeded both on and off the pitch, former administrators, legal experts, financial professionals, business leaders, marketing specialists, and members of the Wydadi diaspora all represent valuable resources. Their experience should not remain untapped.
The challenges facing Wydad today go far beyond football. They include governance, financial sustainability, commercial development, infrastructure, youth development, the transition to the sporting company model, and preparing Wydad to compete consistently at the highest African and international levels. These are complex issues that require more than enthusiasm—they require experience, perspective, and sound judgment.
Seeking advice should never be mistaken for weakness. On the contrary, it is one of the clearest signs of confident and responsible leadership. A successful president is not the one who claims to have every answer, but the one who knows how to bring the best people together for the good of the institution.
My hope is that the new leadership will embrace this opportunity to unite the Wydad family. The club’s greatest strength has always been its people. By bringing together youthful energy with the wisdom of experienced Wydadis, TV Wydad can build a stronger future while honoring its remarkable past.
