Sahdev Yadav elected South Asian Weightlifting Federation President in Ahmedabad
Synopsis
Sahdev Yadav, already heading the Indian Weightlifting Federation and holding senior roles at the IOA and Commonwealth and Asian federations, has added the South Asian Weightlifting Federation presidency to his portfolio — unopposed. The election, held in Ahmedabad on 12 May, consolidates India's administrative influence over regional weightlifting just as the Asian Senior Championships play out on home soil in Gandhinagar.
Key Takeaways
Sahdev Yadav was unanimously elected President of the South Asian Weightlifting Federation at an election meeting in Ahmedabad on 12 May 2025 .
Yadav also serves as President of the Indian Weightlifting Federation , Treasurer of the Indian Olympic Association , and Vice-President of the Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation .
Ram Krishna Sreshtha (Nepal) was elected General Secretary; Ibrahim Hameed (Maldives) and Sanka Ratnayake (Sri Lanka) were elected Vice-Presidents.
Sabina Yadav was appointed CEO; Shahria Sultana (Bangladesh) joined the Executive Board.
At the Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships 2026 in Gandhinagar, Ajith Narayana won two bronze medals in the men's 71 kg category with a total lift of 314 kg .
Sahdev Yadav, President of the Indian Weightlifting Federation, was unanimously elected President of the South Asian Weightlifting Federation (SAWF) following the federation's election meeting held in Ahmedabad on 12 May 2025. The unopposed election, announced by officials on Thursday, marks a significant administrative milestone for weightlifting governance across the South Asian region.
Key Appointments at the Election Meeting
Yadav's election was accompanied by a full slate of appointments that will shape the federation's leadership. Ram Krishna Sreshtha, President of the Nepal Weightlifting Federation, was elected General Secretary. Ibrahim Hameed, President of the Maldives Weightlifting Federation, and Sanka Ratnayake, President of the Sri Lanka Weightlifting Federation, were elected Vice-Presidents.
Sabina Yadav, Joint Secretary of the Indian Weightlifting Federation, was appointed Chief Executive Officer, while Shahria Sultana of the Bangladesh Weightlifting Federation joined as an Executive Board Member. The Asian Weightlifting Federation extended its congratulations to all newly elected office-bearers.
Yadav's International Standing and Vision
Yadav brings a formidable international profile to the SAWF presidency. He currently serves as Treasurer of the Indian Olympic Association, Vice-President of the Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation, and Assistant to the President of the Asian Weightlifting Federation. This breadth of roles positions him as one of the most connected weightlifting administrators in Asia.
In his post-election remarks, Yadav outlined priorities including strengthened regional cooperation, structured athlete development programmes, improved coaching standards, upgraded infrastructure, and greater international exposure for athletes across South Asia. The federation said the unanimous result reflected member nations' confidence in his leadership record.
India's Performance at Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships 2026
The administrative announcement coincided with India's ongoing campaign at the Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships 2026 in Gandhinagar. On Day 4, Ajith Narayana claimed two bronze medals in the men's 71 kg category, registering a total lift of 314 kg, including a best clean and jerk of 174 kg.
The gold in the category went to Won Ju Ri of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea with a total of 351 kg, while Jian Chen of China took silver with 335 kg. The Indian Weightlifting Federation described Narayana's performance as an important contribution to the national team's championship campaign.
What the New Leadership Means for South Asian Weightlifting
The newly constituted SAWF leadership brings together federation heads from Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh alongside Indian officials — a broad regional coalition. The team is expected to coordinate development initiatives and align member nations on shared sporting goals. With the Asian Senior Championships underway on home soil, the timing of the leadership transition carries added symbolic weight for Indian weightlifting's regional ambitions.
Point of View
Commonwealth, and Asian federations. That concentration of administrative power in one individual can accelerate decisions, but it also raises questions about checks and balance within South Asian weightlifting governance. The real measure of his SAWF tenure will be whether the development programmes he outlined — coaching upgrades, infrastructure investment, international exposure — translate into competitive results for smaller member nations like Maldives and Bangladesh, or whether the federation remains India-centric in practice.
NationPress
6 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Sahdev Yadav and why was he elected SAWF President?
Sahdev Yadav is the President of the Indian Weightlifting Federation and holds senior roles at the Indian Olympic Association, Commonwealth Weightlifting Federation, and Asian Weightlifting Federation. He was unanimously elected President of the South Asian Weightlifting Federation at an election meeting in Ahmedabad on 12 May 2025, chosen unopposed in a result the federation attributed to member nations' confidence in his leadership.
Who else was elected at the South Asian Weightlifting Federation meeting?
Ram Krishna Sreshtha of Nepal was elected General Secretary, while Ibrahim Hameed of Maldives and Sanka Ratnayake of Sri Lanka were elected Vice-Presidents. Sabina Yadav was appointed CEO and Shahria Sultana of Bangladesh joined the Executive Board.
What did Ajith Narayana achieve at the Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships 2026?
Ajith Narayana won two bronze medals in the men's 71 kg category on Day 4 of the Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships 2026 in Gandhinagar, registering a total lift of 314 kg including a best clean and jerk of 174 kg. Gold went to Won Ju Ri of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea with 351 kg.
Where are the Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships 2026 being held?
The Asian Senior Weightlifting Championships 2026 are being held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. The event was ongoing at the time of the SAWF election announcement.
What are Sahdev Yadav's priorities as the new SAWF President?
Yadav outlined a focus on strengthening regional cooperation, structured athlete development programmes, improved coaching standards, upgraded infrastructure, and increased international exposure for athletes across South Asia.
