The Islamic Solidarity Sports Association (ISSA) has announced the candidates standing for election to its Executive Board, ahead of the ISSA General Assembly to be held from 11 to 13 September 2026 in Taif, Saudi Arabia.

The elections, overseen by the ISSA Elections Commission, will see candidates from across the ISSA membership stand for key leadership positions. The confirmed candidates reflect strong geographic diversity and female representation at the highest levels of the ISSA, and are as follows:

Vice President – Africa & Latin America Nawal El Moutawakel (Morocco)

Vice President – Asia & Europe Gennadiy Golovkin (Kazakhstan)

Regional Representatives – Africa & Latin America Aya Mahmoud AbdAllah Mohamed Medany (Egypt) Idriss Dokony Adiker (Chad) Yacine Louail (Algeria)

Regional Representatives – Asia & Europe Arif Saeed (Pakistan) Huseyin Ersan Topbas (Türkiye) Mahdi Alinejad (Iran)

The ISSA Executive Board serves as the principal governing body of the ISSA, and is comprised of the President, Vice Presidents for Asia & Europe and Africa & Latin America, Regional Representatives from both regions, two Athletes' representatives (one man and one woman), a Representative of Women’s Sport, and representatives of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Palestine and the Organising Committee of the next Islamic Solidarity Games, alongside the Secretary General and Treasurer.

Its diverse and regionally-balanced composition reflects the ISSA's commitment to inclusive leadership across its membership.

The ISSA General Assembly will take place in Taif, one of Saudi Arabia's most picturesque cities, nestled in the Al-Sarawat Mountains at an altitude of approximately 1,800 metres above sea level. Taif is renowned across the region for its rose gardens which produce some of the world's finest rose oil, and its vibrant history as a centre of learning and trade.

The ISSA General Assembly itself will be preceded by a day of workshops on 11 September focused on ISSA's programs and strategic initiatives, giving members the opportunity to engage directly with the organisation's ongoing work.

On 12 September, the ISSA Executive Board will meet ahead of the General Assembly, which will feature the elections.

The final day on 13 September will be dedicated to an ISSA Athletes' Committee meeting and a full briefing for incoming Executive Board members.

The ISSA looks forward to welcoming its members to Taif for a landmark moment in its ongoing development.