In a historic milestone for Egyptian sports diplomacy, wheelchair basketball national team star Alhassan Sedky has ascended to the pinnacle of international sports governance. Sedky has been elected President of the Players’ Commission of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF), marking the first time an Egyptian has been chosen to lead this prestigious global athlete body. By virtue of his presidency, Sedky also secures a historic seat on the IWBF Board of Directors.
The landmark election took place during the inaugural meeting of the newly constituted commission at the iconic “Patrick Baumann House of Basketball” in Mies, Switzerland. Convening player representatives from across the globe, the summit was held with the strategic support of a dedicated development grant from the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
The newly minted commission features a diverse, elite cohort of eight athlete representatives spanning all geographical zones of the IWBF, including Alhassan Sedky (Egypt), Mariska Beijer (Netherlands), Kady Dandeneau (Canada), James MacSorley (Great Britain), Hannah Dodd (Australia), John Boie (USA), Hiroki Kozai (Japan), and Michelle Moganedi (South Africa). In a move designed to foster collective leadership and global synergy, the commission elected Sedky to the helm, while Mariska Beijer and Kady Dandeneau were chosen to share the responsibilities of Vice President.
This appointment stands as the crowning achievement of Sedky’s distinguished athletic and administrative career. Having earned the universal trust of his international peers, he is now tasked with spearheading the body responsible for amplifying the athlete’s voice, safeguarding player welfare, and directly participating in the formulation of global policies that will govern the future of the sport.
IWBF Secretary General Gabrielle Zangenfeind underscored the critical institutional weight of the commission, noting that the Players’ Commission remains an indispensable cornerstone of the federation’s ecosystem. Zangenfeind emphasized that the inaugural session succeeded in forging a unified vision among the new members and crystallizing the strategic priorities for the upcoming cycle.
Expressing his profound gratitude for the international confidence reposed in him, Alhassan Sedky embraced the weight of his new mandate, stating that it is a tremendous honor to be elected President of the IWBF Players’ Commission. He noted that wheelchair basketball completely transformed his life, and expressed his deep commitment to ensuring that the players’ voices resonate at every tier of decision-making within the international federation, while simultaneously expanding the commission’s visibility and fostering the global evolution of the game.
As Egyptian sports administrators continue to establish a commanding presence within international governing bodies, the new commission is set to roll out a comprehensive strategic plan. Moving forward, the council will focus on enhancing direct lines of communication with athletes, institutionalizing player feedback in executive decisions, and driving the global expansion and accessibility of wheelchair basketball.