Doha, Qatar – Mohammed bin Yousef Al Mana has been re-elected as President of the Arab Weightlifting Federation (AWF) for a new four-year term, extending his leadership through 2029. The decision came during an AWF Executive Office meeting held on the sidelines of the Combined Weightlifting Championships in Doha, which includes competitions for the Qatar Cup, Arab Championship, and West Asia Championship. Al Mana was elected unopposed, signaling strong confidence in his direction for the sport within the region.
The AWF meeting, attended by representatives from 19 countries, as well as leaders from the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF) and the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees, focused on charting a course for the future of weightlifting in the Arab world. Key attendees included IWF President Mohammed Hasan Jalood Al Shammari and Secretary-General of the Union of Arab National Olympic Committees, Abdel Aziz bin Mohammed Al Enazi. This high-level attendance underscored the importance of the championships and the growing influence of the AWF on the global stage.
Renewed Leadership for Arab Weightlifting
Al Mana’s continued presidency demonstrates recognition of the progress made under his previous tenure. His supporters cite advancements in coaching development, administrative efficiency, and increased Arab representation in international competitions as key achievements. He currently holds several prominent positions in the sport, including First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Vice President of the International Weightlifting Federation.
In a notable organizational change, the position of First Vice President of the AWF was established and filled by Mohammed Ahmed Al Harbi, President of the Saudi Weightlifting Federation. This move is intended to streamline operations and expand the scope of executive responsibilities, according to AWF officials. The appointments of vice presidents representing both the Asian and African regions further emphasize geographical inclusiveness within the federation.
New Vice President Appointments
Talal Rasheed Al Jassar (Kuwait) and Dr. Abdullah Al Jarmal (Yemen) will serve as vice presidents for the Asian region. Representing Africa will be Mohamed Abdelmaksoud (Egypt) and Kamel Saidi (Algeria). Additional executive office members elected include Mohammed Kadhem Mza’al (Iraq), Dr. Basil Al Ibrahim (Syria), Ishaq Ibrahim Ishaq (Bahrain), Abdel Ilah Laarash (Morocco), Abdulrahman Al Jatlawi (Libya), and Dr. Khaled Al Wadaia (Palestine).
These appointments reflect a commitment to diversifying the leadership base with experienced individuals from across the Arab world. The range of backgrounds – including technical expertise and administrative backgrounds – is expected to benefit the federation’s overall development efforts. The emphasis on coaching and refereeing development is a key secondary focus, alongside athlete performance.
Al Mana stated that his re-election carries a significant responsibility, and he pledged to prioritize the needs of the Arab federations. He underscored the importance of continued collaboration and consensus-building within the region to ensure sustained progress in the sport. This includes focusing on achieving parity in sports opportunities across member nations.
Looking ahead, Al Mana outlined plans to concentrate on broadening participation in weightlifting, improving the quality of coaching and refereeing, and bolstering developmental programs for younger athletes. These initiatives are designed to cultivate a pipeline of competitive Arab weightlifters capable of success on both continental and international platforms. Developing junior athletes is considered crucial for long-term sustainability within the sport.
The successful hosting of the Combined Championships in Doha was highlighted as a model for organizational integration and athletic support. Qatar has demonstrated a commitment to supporting Arab sport, and Al Mana affirmed that the nation will continue to provide optimal conditions for future competitions. The event reportedly drew a record number of participants and officials.
The next steps for the AWF involve finalizing strategic plans based on the priorities outlined by Al Mana and the newly appointed executive team. A detailed timeline for the implementation of these plans is expected to be released in the coming months. Monitoring the federation’s progress in expanding participation and enhancing athlete development will be crucial in the years ahead.
Further information about the Arab Weightlifting Federation can be found on their official website: https://www.awf.org.qa/
