Nawal El Moutawakel Elected ISSA Vice President Through 2029

Nawal El Moutawakel, vice president of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has been elected vice president of the Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA) for Africa and Latin America, for a term running from 2026 to 2029. The election took place during the federation's 15th General Assembly, held Saturday in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

President Reconfirmed, Posts Distributed

The General Assembly also reconfirmed Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal Al Saud as ISSA president, while Kazakhstan's Gennadiy Golovkin was elected vice president for Asia and Europe. The renewal confirms Morocco's continued presence within the leadership of this Islamic sports organization.

A Distinguished Olympic Career

Nawal El Moutawakel holds special symbolic weight in Moroccan and Arab sport: she was the first Moroccan, first Arab, and first Muslim woman to win an Olympic gold medal, crowned in the 400m hurdles at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. An IOC member since 1998, she served as the Committee's vice president between 2012 and 2016, and chaired the coordination commission for the Rio 2016 Olympics.

Why This Election Matters

This new post strengthens Morocco's presence within international and Islamic sports bodies, at a time when the Kingdom continues to host and organize major sporting events. It also confirms renewed international confidence in the expertise El Moutawakel has built over more than three decades in the Olympic and sports movement.