JS Kairouan

Foundation and early years

The origins of organised football in Kairouan predate the foundation of JS Kairouan. The first known sports association in the city was the Stade Kairouanais, founded in 1920 on the initiative of René Solal. The club competed in the Central District and included both Tunisian and French players. Following the dissolution of Stade Kairouanais in 1941, local sportsmen established the Jeunesse Sportive Kairouanaise the following year. The club was formally founded on 10 October 1942. The first recorded executive committee was elected at the general assembly of 20 February 1943. Chedly Belhaj became the club's first president, with Zribi Tassi as vice-president and Salah Ben Jannet as general secretary. During its early decades, JSK competed outside the national elite and made several unsuccessful attempts to reach the top division.

Rise to the national elite

JS Kairouan finally reached the national first division in 1972. The team subsequently established itself among the leading sides outside the traditional Tunisian football centres. The club's breakthrough came during the 1976–77 season. Managed by Hamda Laouani and coached by Yugoslav Dragan Vasiljevic, JSK won the Tunisian championship for the first time in its history. The championship-winning side was built around captain and midfield leader Khemaïs Laabidi and striker Moncef Ouada. Ouada finished the season as the league's leading scorer (18 goals). The title remains JS…

Tunisian Ligue Professionnelle 1 Winners (1): 1976–77 Coupe de Tunisie Runners-up (1): 1996