USM Alger

In July 1935, Omar Aichoun and Mustapha Kaoui, both merchants of jute bags, decided to create an exclusively Muslim sports association in which no European would appear. At the time, the National Movement, led by Étoile Nord-Africaine of Emir Khalid ibn Hashim, grandson of Emir Abdelkader, ran out of steam while the creation of the PPA (Parti du peuple algérien), spiritual father, was organized. of the FLN, Aichoun and Kaoui, join the popular effervescence. They frequent the activists of the National Movement, many in the district of the Casbah and hear about the need to create sports clubs, the ideal framework to bring together Algerian youth. The increasingly seasoned national movement is pushing for the creation of sports associations.

In 1935, two determined men intensified their contacts with the support of Arezki Meddad, father of future martyr Ourida Meddad. Their choice of leadership fell upon Ali Lahmar, known as Ali Zaid, a future martyr of the liberation war of Liberation, along with Sid Ahmed Kemmat. These men formed the first executive committee of USM Alger, with Ali Zaid serving as president. The honorary presidency was entrusted to Omar Aichoun and Arezki Meddad.

In addition to their nationalist and sporting efforts, Omar Aichoun and Mustapha Kaoui were active members of the Nadi Ettaraki (Circle of Progress), an association established under the French 1901 Law on Associations. Its headquarters were located at 9, Place du Gouvernement in Algiers (now Place des Martyrs). The Circle was closely associated with the Islamic Reform Movement (El Islah), led by Sheikh Tayeb El Okbi. Notably, his son Djamel El Okbi would later become a goalkeeper for USM Alger.

Concerned that engaging in sports might conflict with Islamic principles, the founders consulted Sheikh Tayeb El Okbi, who not only reassured them but also blessed the creation of the club and offered his full encouragement. For administrative formalities and to obtain the colonial authorities’ approval, the founders approached the Secretary General of MC Alger, who generously provided them with a copy of the club statutes to serve as a model.

At that time, the Algerian youth were cut off from playing football or any other sport freely, according to their preferences. Opportunities to practice were scarce the playing fields were the only space for creativity. No one was expected to take responsibility or open up prospects for them. The Wilaya of Algiers alone could not meet the demands of the large number of young people eager for sports activities. Well known sports figures like Ahmed Kemmat, Ali Zaid, and Arezki Meddad would often use their own money to purchase balls and equipment so that these youths could continue practicing their hobbies without interruption. As Mr. Ahmed Kemmat continues:

USMA is also a school of Nationalism, says Mr. Kemmat. At the beginning of 1955, the revolution was in full swing, and Mr. Ali Chérifi, who was the club president at the time, having heard of foolish behavior committed by some young players, summoned the minimes, cadets, and juniors to give them a moral lesson. He said to them:

My children, I don’t have the right to call you thugs, even if you’re behaving like them, because I know you're from good families, and I know your parents. Listen carefully to what I’m about to say: our country is at war, and we need men to fight French colonialism and drive it out. If tomorrow the leaders of the FLN or the ALN contact us asking for men to join the maquis, do you know what I’d have to tell them? That I only have children here who know nothing but how to fool around. I’ve made a serious decision if you don’t change your behavior, you will no longer play football.

In 1956, the central leadership of the National Liberation Front (FLN) made the strategic decision to suspend all sporting activities of Muslim clubs as part of the national resistance effort. A pivotal meeting was held at the USM Alger circle, located on Rue de Bône, to discuss and decide on the cessation of football. This meeting was chaired by Ali Cherifi, then vice president of USMA and financial officer of the Zone autonome d'Alger (ZAA). Two of the early leaders of the ZAA were active members of USMA, further illustrating the club’s close ties to the liberation movement. Among them was Mohamed Hattab, better known by his nom de guerre Habib Reda, a key figure in the ZAA's bomb network. Hattab, who was later sentenced to death by the colonial authorities, was also a basketball player with USM Alger.