Last meeting of the 2022-2025 IWF Executive Board held today in Riyadh (KSA)
One day before the 2025 IWF Electoral Congress in Riyadh (KSA), the last meeting of the 2022-2025 Executive Board took place today in the Saudi capital. In the two-hour gathering, the IWF President Mohammed Jalood heartfully thanked his colleagues for the “extraordinary work and unity” during the three-year term. “This Board literally saved our Sport and fought hard to keep weightlifting in the Olympic programme. I am very proud to lead such a fantastic team, with such a motivation, dedication and true passion for our Sport,” Mr Jalood also stated.
Special thanks were addressed to IWF General Secretary Antonio Urso, and members Sam Coffa (also Chair of the Technical Committee) and Fathi Masmoudi, who will not be candidates to any future position within the IWF structure. “Their contribution has been outstanding and they will be forever part of our family!” the IWF President stated.
IWF Executive Board Meeting in Riyadh (KSA)
Mr Urso, also on an emotional tone, then took the floor and praised the “intense, rewarding and joyful years with so many friends and true supporters of Weightlifting. I will take you forever in my heart,” confessed the IWF General Secretary.
After being greeted by the host of the IWF presence in Riyadh – “I want you all to feel at home in Saudi Arabia – my team and I will make our best to offer you and all delegates to the Congress the best possible conditions,” said IWF EB Member and President of Saudi Arabia Weightlifting Federation Mohammed Al-Harbi -, the EB proceeded with the discussions of the agenda items.
They included the approval of the Membership Commission’s recommendation on the status of some National Federations, the ratification of the external and independent audit of the 2024 Financial Statements, the discussion on the Electoral Congress procedures, and the update on the celebrations of the IWF’s 120th anniversary.
The IWF President also briefed the Board about his recent visit to Turkmenistan, where he had the opportunity to meet with the President of the country, Mr Serdar Berdimuhamedow. In a very “constructive dialogue” between the two dignitaries, the Head of State emphasised his nation’s passion for weightlifting, the sport that has brought the sole medal for Turkmenistan at the Olympics – by Polina Guryeva, second at the 2020 Tokyo Games in the women’s 59kg category. “The country and its President are very keen to host future IWF events in the near future and I told Mr Berdimuhamedow that we will seriously consider the possibility of Turkmenistan organising a qualification event for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games,” explained Mr Jalood. In 2018, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan’s capital, successfully hosted the IWF World Championships.
IWF President being received by the President of Turkmenistan, Mr Serdar Berdimuhamedow (top), and meeting the Turkmenistan Weightlifting Federation representatives
The IWF Ordinary and Electoral Congresses are taking place this weekend in Riyadh, where delegates from about 180 countries will vote on a new IWF Executive Board, as well as the IWF Committees and Commissions for the next four years. Live feed of these meetings will be available on IWF’s YouTube channel.
IWF Communications
