Xiamen, China, April 26, 2025: Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul of Thailand has been confirmed as the new Badminton World Federation President at the 86th BWF Annual General Meeting in Xiamen, China on Saturday, April 26, 2025.
Khunying Patama, an IOC Member, is the second female president of the Badminton World Federation after Lu Shengrong (China, 1993-2001). Leeswadtrakul won unopposed and succeeds Poul-Erik Høyer, whose 12-year tenure as BWF President ended on Saturday.
Khunying Patama commented: “I am very excited to take over the leadership of the BWF. For me, badminton has always been more than a sport, and tonight marks a deeply meaningful milestone. While badminton is in a strong position today, we must continue to work towards making badminton a truly global sport.”
Høyer was awarded Honorary Life Vice President by the BWF membership at the AGM.
Long-serving BWF Council member and Paris 2024 CEO Etienne Thobois of France was confirmed as Deputy President-elect. He was the sole candidate for the position.
France’s Richard Perot was successful in the election for BWF Vice President Para Badminton over incumbent Paul Kurzo.
Twenty new BWF Council members were also voted in, including Mohamad Norza Zakaria (MAS), Bambang (Rudy) Roedyanto (INA), Rukhshona Narzulloeva (TJK), Sawsan Taqawi (BRN), Kim Jong Soo (KOR), Wajid Ali Chaudhry (PAK), Mitsuru Murai (JPN) and Zhang Jun (CHN).
Khunying Patama, President of the Badminton Association of Thailand, previously served as BWF Vice President.