Qatar Wins Bid to Host Asian Weightlifting Federation Electoral Congress

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May 14, 2026
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14-May-2026

Qatar Wins Bid to Host Asian Weightlifting Federation Electoral Congress

Gandhinagar (India) – Qatar has won the right to host the Electoral General Assembly of the Asian Weightlifting Federation, scheduled to take place next December, during the Executive Board meeting of the federation held yesterday on the sidelines of the 2026 Asian Men’s and Women’s Weightlifting Championships, currently underway in Gandhinagar, India, until May 17, with the participation of 172 male and female lifters representing 28 national federations.

The Executive Board meeting of the Asian Weightlifting Federation was chaired by HE Mohammed Yousef Al Mana, First Vice President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, President of the Qatar, Arab, Asian, and Afro-Asian Weightlifting Federations, and Vice President of the International Weightlifting Federation. The meeting was attended by Mohammed Hassan Jalood, President of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF), Mohammed Ahmed Al Harbi, President of the Saudi Weightlifting Federation and Secretary-General of the Asian federation, in addition to vice presidents Choi Sang Yong of South Korea, Shukrullo Makhmudov of Uzbekistan, Meng Bo of China, Abdullah Al Jarmal of Yemen, and Monico Puentevella of the Philippines.

The Qatari bid secured hosting rights for the Electoral General Assembly following competition with bids from Iran, the Maldives, and Singapore. Iran and the Maldives later withdrew, leading to a direct vote between Qatar and Singapore, which ended with Qatar winning the hosting rights, while Singapore was designated as the reserve host nation.

The Electoral General Assembly is scheduled to take place on the sidelines of the Qatar International Weightlifting Cup from December 7 to 17. The event represents the second qualifying competition for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, giving it special technical and organizational importance and making it a key stage in the Olympic qualification pathway.

During the Ordinary General Assembly meeting of the Asian federation, chaired by HE Mohammed Yousef Al Mana, members reviewed the strategic plan for the upcoming Olympic cycle leading to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Discussions also covered the development of technical regulations, enhancing the standard of continental championships, and strengthening anti-doping programs to ensure the highest standards of integrity and fairness in competition.

Members also voted on amendments to the Asian federation’s regulations, with 17 members approving the amendments and two opposing them. The recommendations will now be submitted to the International Weightlifting Federation for official approval as part of efforts to enhance the legislative framework and ensure greater stability in continental competitions.

HE Mohammed Yousef Al Mana described Qatar’s success in securing hosting rights for the Electoral General Assembly as a reflection of the country’s distinguished position in organizing and hosting major sporting events, reaffirming the strong confidence Qatar enjoys within the Asian sporting community. He added that the achievement extends Qatar’s long record of success in hosting major continental and international sporting events.

Al Mana stressed that hosting the Electoral General Assembly represents an important step in the development of weightlifting across Asia, especially as it coincides with the Qatar International Weightlifting Cup, one of the qualifying events for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, which further enhances the technical and organizational significance of the event and gives it additional Olympic importance.

He also praised the spirit of cooperation among Asian sports federations, emphasizing that such collaboration contributes to strengthening joint efforts to further develop weightlifting and elevate its technical and organizational standards internationally.

Meanwhile, the Qatar national weightlifting team continued its intensive preparations for the 2026 Asian Men’s and Women’s Weightlifting Championships, which feature some of the continent’s top lifters as part of preparations for the upcoming Olympic Games.

Team Qatar will compete with two athletes: Wissal Khalaf in the women’s +86kg category and Fares Ahmed Jaber in the men’s +94kg category.

The Qatari duo are scheduled to compete on May 17, the final day of the championships, with the team aiming to achieve positive results and raise Qatar’s flag on the continental stage.