There’s just a month left until the sports council in Bergen, and it’s a showdown between the 35-year-old and the incumbent president, Berit Kjøll.

In front of NTB, Al-Samarai explained what are the most important issues if elected.

– I myself grew up in a family with poor finances, and lately we see more and more children and teenagers who cannot participate in sports. One of the most important things is trying to make sure that children and young people don’t stand outside and scratch at the door, he said.

Political background

The presidential candidate also highlighted more political work in sports and the strengthening of teams, clubs and volunteerism.

– I want us to work more politically. We must secure the conditions of the sporting framework, both at the top level and at the broadest level. I think my political background, if successful in June, will be a strength in the city and county election campaign, to ensure that we get more facilities, complement the facilities we already have, and strengthen our club.

– We are in a time where there is more focus on the economy as a barrier, and I think we are entering a time where we need more political understanding and influence, he added to TV 2.

[ Derfor kan Zaineb bli idrettspresident ]

Leader of Holmlia

Al-Samarai has been a member of the sports council since 2019 under current president Kjøll. Support for him has increased in recent months from both specialized associations and the sporting community.

Al-Samarai came to Norway as a refugee from Iraq when he was seven years old. He currently works as a communications advisor at Storm Samfunn AS, a company owned by Petter Stordalen.

He studied law at the University of Oslo and has a background in politics. Al-Samarai sat on the city council in Oslo from 2011 to 2015. From 2017 to 2021 he was a deputy representative of the Storting for the Labor Party.

The proposed sports president is, among other things, the leader of the Holmlia Sports Club.

[ Al-Samarai innstilt som ny idrettspresident – valgkomiteen ikke upåvirket av Kjøll-støyen  ]

Election campaign

Al-Samarai remained behind the scenes before the selection committee’s recommendations and the debate that raged around the much-discussed whistleblowing case at the Norwegian Sports Confederation.

– After all, I am a member of the sports council, and the rules of the game are such that you want the selection committee to feel calm in its work. “I respect that,” he said.

However, ahead of the sports council, Al-Samarai will have to work hard to garner more support.

– I also had to defend in the second half. “I want to go around and talk to people, listen and let them get to know me and what I want to do for Norwegian sport,” he said and added:

– Now is the charm stage, and I must always be with you. I don’t take anything for granted.

[ Kampklar Berit Kjøll etter vrakingen – vil utfordre Al-Samarai ]