Thailand’s Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul was elected unopposed as the new BWF (Badminton World Federation) President for the 2025-2029 term at the 86th BWF Annual General Meeting in Xiamen, China, on Saturday.
Leeswadtrakul is the second woman president of the sport’s global governing body after China’s Lu Shengrong (1993-2001).
Leeswadtrakul has been serving as the president of the Badminton Association of Thailand since 2013. Under her leadership, the country grabbed its first-ever Olympic medal – Kunlavut Vitidsarn’s silver in men’s singles at Paris Olympics 2024 – in the sport. She is also a member of the Executive Board of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand.
BREAKING
Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul Confirmed BWF President-elect for 2025-2029 #BWF#badmintonpic.twitter.com/t1ClDyNPqD
— BWF (@bwfmedia) April 26, 2025
She succeeds Poul-Erik Høyer, whose 12-year tenure has ended. Høyer was awarded Honorary Life Vice President by the BWF membership at the AGM.
BWF Council member and Paris 2024 CEO Etienne Thobois of France was confirmed as Deputy President-elect.
France’s Richard Perot won the election for BWF Vice President Para Badminton against incumbent Paul Kurzo.
Twenty new BWF Council members have also been inducted.
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