The 25th AHF Ordinary Congress took place on 20 December 2025 in Cairo, Arab Republic of Egypt, with the elections for the 2025–2029 term as a key item on the agenda. The Congress was attended by 36 Member Federations and was graced by the presence of the President of the International Handball Federation, Dr. Hassan Moustafa (Egypt).
During the electoral proceedings, Mr. Bader Mohammed Al-Theyab (Kuwait) was elected unopposed as President of the Asian Handball Federation. He was the sole candidate nominated from Kuwait, in accordance with the AHF By-Laws, which stipulate that the President shall be elected from the country of AHF Headquarters.
For the position of 1st Vice President, Mr. Yoshihide Watanabe (Japan) was re-elected unopposed, securing his seventh consecutive term in the role, a position he has continuously held since the year 2000.
The Congress also elected the four (4) Vice Presidents, all of whom were elected unanimously as the number of candidates equaled the number of available posts. Prof. Dr. Sari Hamdan Ghanima (Jordan), Mr. Ali Mohamed Isa Abdulla Eshaqi (Bahrain), and Ms. Wang Tao (People’s Republic of China) were re-elected, while Dr. Alireza Pakdel (Islamic Republic of Iran) was newly elected to the position.
For the post of Secretary General, Mr. Muhammad Shafiq (Pakistan) was re-elected unopposed, marking his fourth consecutive term since first assuming office in 2013.
The election for the position of Treasurer, which is also reserved for Kuwait as the country of the AHF Headquarters, was contested by two candidates. Following the vote, Mr. Faisal Baqer received 24 votes, while Mr. Qayed Hammoud Al-Adwani received 12 votes, confirming Mr. Faisal Baqer as the newly elected Treasurer.
In addition, the Congress unanimously elected the five (5) Council Members. Mr. Ameen Ahmed Abdullah Al-Barwani (Oman) and Mr. Mohammed Julfar (United Arab Emirates) were re-elected, while Prof. Dr. Chung Hyun-kyung (Republic of Korea), Dr. Anandeshwar Panday (India), and Dr. Ahmed Riyadh Taleb (Iraq) were newly elected to the Council.
Furthermore, Ms. Gulnara Turlykhanova (Kazakhstan) was elected unopposed as the Female Council Member, continuing the AHF’s commitment to strengthening female representation within its governing structures.
Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Abdulrab Al-Shaabi (Qatar) was unanimously elected as the AHF Representative in the IHF Council.
25th AHF Ordinary Congress – Elections
President
Mr. Bader Mohammed Al-Theyab (Kuwait)
1st Vice President
Mr. Yoshihide Watanabe (Japan)
Four (4) Vice Presidents
Prof. Dr. Sari Hamdan Ghanima (Jordan)
Mr. Ali Mohamed Isa Abdulla Eshaqi (Bahrain)
Ms. Wang Tao (P. R. China)
Dr. Alireza Pakdel (I. R. Iran)
Secretary General
Mr. Muhammad Shafiq (Pakistan)
Treasurer
Mr. Faisal Baqer (Kuwait)
Five (5) Council Members
Mr. Ameen Ahmed Abdullah Al-Barwani (Oman)
Mr. Mohammed Julfar (United Arab Emirates)
Prof. Dr. Chung Hyun-kyung (Republic of Korea)
Dr. Anandeshwar Panday (India)
Dr. Ahmed Riyadh Taleb (Iraq)
Female Council Member
Ms. Gulnara Turlykhanova (Kazakhstan)
AHF Representative in IHF Council
Mr. Ahmed Mohammed Abdulrab Al-Shaabi (Qatar)