Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul, an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, received unanimous approval from all 202 member nations to become the new President of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), making her the second female president in the federation’s history. She won the position unopposed during the 86th BWF Annual General Meeting held in Xiamen, People’s Republic of China, on April 26, 2025.
Previously serving as the Deputy President of the BWF, Khunying Patama will succeed Poul-Erik Høyer, who served as President for 12 years. Høyer will now hold the title of Honorary Life Vice President of the federation. Etienne Thobois, a member of the federation’s council and CEO of the Paris 2024 Olympics from France, has been appointed Deputy President. Meanwhile, Richard Perot from France has been elected as Vice President for Para Badminton, replacing current officeholder Paul Kurzo.
The new Executive Board of the Badminton World Federation consists of: Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul as President, Etienne Thobois as Deputy President, and Thomas Lund as Secretary General. Board members include Andoni Azurmendi Ibarrola (Spain), Bambang Roedyanto (Indonesia), Charlotte Dew-Hattens (Denmark), Francis Orbih (Nigeria), Jan Helmond (Netherlands), Jo ‘Anne Cassar (Malta), Jose Gabriel Del Busto Fernandez (Guam), Julie McDonald (Australia), Kim Jong Soo (South Korea), Mitsuru Murai (Japan), Mohamad Norza Zakaria (Malaysia), Nora Perry (England), Odette Assembe Engoulou (Cameroon), Pilar Carrillo La Fuente (Peru), Rukhshona Narzulloeva (Tajikistan), Sawsan Taqawi (Bahrain), Sven Serré (Belgium), Taleh Ziyadov (Azerbaijan), Wajid Ali Chaudhry (Pakistan), and Zhang Jun (China).
