Page 171 - BOOK OF THE YEAR 22-23

MEET & GREET

RAFAEL SANTONJA RE-ELECTED IFBB PRESIDENT

lThe annual congress of the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness
took place one year more from Santa Susana, Barcelona, Spain. With the presence of
104 countries and accompanied by the mayor of Santa Susana, Joan Campolier, were
held this year the elections of the executive committee for the period 2022-2026.
Rafael Santonja, was unanimously re-elected as President of the International
Federation, and received a huge ovation from all the attending delegates,
demonstrating once again, the great support and respect towards him by the IFBB
family.
New elected members to highlight were Ralph Decelis, as General Secretary,
Gabriel Toncean as Executive Director, and Sanjay More, as Vice General Secretary. In
the continental vice presidencies, all the vice presidents from the last term renewed
their positions, Dr. Eng Adel Fahim for Africa, H. E. Sheikh Abdulla Bin Ahmad Al
The annual congress of the International sharki for Asia, Marco Antonio Cabezas for North America, Eduardo Abdalah for
Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness
took place one year more from Santa Central America, Juan Paredes for South America, Paul Graham for Oceania, Mr Pawel
Susana, Barelona, Spain. With the Filleborn for Europe, and Giovanni Arendsz was elected for the new Vice Presidency
presence of 104 countries. for the Caribbean.

SPANISH NATIONAL President Santonja with
the President of the
Spanish Olympic
SPORT PRESS GALA Committee, Mr. Alejandro
Blanco, surrounded by the
Mayor of Santa Susana, Mr.
Joan Campolier (Left), and
l After developing a strong relationship between the AIPS Vice President, Mr.
IFBB, the city of Santa Susana, and the International Juan Antonio Prieto (right).
Sport Press Association, which held its Executive
Council meeting in Santa Susana, President Santonja
and the Mayor of Santa Susana, Joan Campolier atten-
ded the Spanish National Sports Press Gala in La Nucia,
Alicante, a city renowned for its excellent sports facili-
ties. At the event, they met with Mr. Julian Redondo,
the President of the Spanish Sports Press Association,
Mr. Bernabé Cano, the Mayor of La Nucia, and Mr.
Alejandro Blanco, the President of the Spanish Olympic With Mr Julian Redondo,
President of the Spanish
Committee, among other notable personalities, in a Sport Press Association, and
beautiful celebration for sport press, and sharing great Mr Pepe Gutierrez, President
time together, for sport and friendship. of the Catalonian Sport Press.

IFBB AT THE GAISF LAST VISIT FROM IRAQ FEDERATION

CONGRESS lThe President of the Iraqi Federation paid a visit to President
Santonja at the IFBB office, providing an update on the
progress of our sport and lifestyle in Iraq. They discussed the
successful implementation of the IFBB Academy and various
sports and educational activities taking place in the country.

lThe President of IFBB attended a historic event at
the 2022 GAISF Congress, which marked the
organization’s final gathering. GAISF, the Global
Association of International Sports Federations,
served as the umbrella organization for all
international sports federations, both Olympic and
non-Olympic, as well as organizers of multi-sports
games and international sport-related associations
since its founding in 1967. IFBB had been a
member since 1969. At the GAISF 2022 Congress, a
groundbreaking decision was proposed and President
approved: the dissolution of GAISF. This Santonja with
momentous event heralds no doubt a new era in Mr. Faez
the world of international sports. Abdul
Hassan,
The new body to be umbrella of all the President of
international sport federations will be now the Iraqi
SportAccord Federation.

2022/2023 BOOK OF THE YEAR 169