Mr. Mohammed Al-Harbi
Secretary-General of the Asian Weightlifting Federation
During the 2025 IWF World Championships in Førde, Norway, an important Intercontinental Meeting brought together representatives from all five continental federations alongside the leadership of the International Weightlifting Federation (IWF). Representing the Asian Weightlifting Federation (AWF) was Secretary-General Mr. Mohammed Al Harbi, who actively contributed to discussions on the sport’s global development strategy for the 2025–2029 Olympic cycle.
The meeting took place at a critical time for weightlifting, as the sport prepares for the post-Paris 2024 period and seeks to reaffirm its place within the Olympic Movement. With the future of weightlifting dependent on unified governance and ethical advancement, the presence and input of each continent were vital.
Mr. Al Harbi emphasized Asia’s structured approach to growth — focusing on expanding youth and junior participation while reinforcing compliance with international anti-doping standards. He presented Asia as a region not only rich in talent but increasingly recognized for its organizational reforms and digital modernization efforts.
Key areas of discussion included:
• Anti-doping education and enforcement, with a focus on strengthening collaboration with the International Testing Agency (ITA) and expanding athlete outreach.
• Technical official and coach development, where federations agreed on the need for standardized certification and continued learning opportunities.
• Digital innovation, including AI-based judging systems, athlete tracking technologies, and transparent event management tools.
• Solidarity and financial support mechanisms for less-resourced federations, with continental cooperation seen as a cornerstone of equitable growth.
An important portion of the meeting addressed the Olympic vision for 2025–2029, with IWF leadership stressing that progress must be earned through clean sport, institutional transparency, and global representation. These themes closely align with the IOC’s expectations for modern sport governance.
Mr. Al Harbi reaffirmed AWF’s alignment with these goals, citing successful implementation of new digital platforms and increased hosting capacity across Asia — including in Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia. He also emphasized the region’s commitment to gender equity, particularly in supporting the rise of women athletes in traditionally underrepresented areas.
The meeting concluded with a strong sense of unity across continents, as all parties pledged to continue working collaboratively and reconvene prior to Los Angeles 2028 to assess progress.
For the Asian Weightlifting Federation, this meeting was not only a diplomatic success but also a clear signal of its growing influence in shaping the global future of the sport. As weightlifting undergoes institutional renewal, Asia’s voice — led by strategic leadership and grounded in reform — will remain central to ensuring a credible, inclusive, and performance-driven future.
