Prof Dr Ugur Erdener named honorary president on opening day of World Archery Congress

World Archery President Prof Dr Ugur Erdener opened the 56th World Archery Congress in Gwangju (Korea) on the morning of 2 September 2025, welcoming delegates from 151 national federations (plus proxies) and expressing his hope for a productive and memorable meeting.

Reflecting on his 20 years of service, Erdener highlighted archery’s growth and the transformation of World Archery into a modern, globally recognised federation. He recalled the sport’s precarious Olympic status in 2005 and described how governance reforms, transparency measures and innovative competition formats helped secure its core position in the Games.

“Today I’m really very happy and proud, also a little bit sad, because this is my last speech to you during our 56th World Archery Congress here in beautiful Korea,” he said. “Of course, I feel some sadness for leaving my position, but in any case, we will be together in our great family, I know.”

Erdener expressed pride in expanding the federation to 168 member associations, reflecting the sport’s rising international appeal, and in promoting unity and harmony within the World Archery family, which he described as a core element of its ongoing success.

Among his achievements, he cited the establishment of the World Archery Excellence Centre in 2016, a training hub for archers from grassroots to elite levels, and the launch of the World Cup series. He also highlighted innovations to make the sport more TV-friendly, including match set systems, live biometric broadcasts, and social media streaming, which drew record audiences at Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024.

He also highlighted marketing and sponsorship programmes that strengthened World Archery’s global reach, as well as the expansion of Olympic medal events, including the mixed team format and greater gender balance.

IOC Honorary President for Life Thomas Bach sent a video message, praising Prof Dr Erdener for his transformative leadership. He highlighted Erdener’s role in rebranding World Archery, developing innovative competition formats and promoting global participation.

Bach emphasised that Erdener’s vision and commitment to Olympic values had strengthened World Archery’s reputation, ensured its prominence within the Olympic movement, and left a lasting legacy.

During a pre-event executive board meeting on 1 September, the board unanimously agreed to honour him with the title of World Archery Honorary President in recognition of his two decades of leadership and service.

The ceremonial recognition included a specially prepared gift, a commemorative certificate and a signed portrait featuring both the current and honorary presidents of the IOC.

On this first of two days of the biennial meeting, delegates also heard operational and financial reports, decided on memberships and voted on changes to the World Archery Rulebook. 

The 56th World Archery Congress concludes on Wednesday 3 September 2025, with elections taking place during the morning session and some awards and recognitions bestowed closing the meeting in the afternoon.

No information in this article should be considered final or official until the meeting minutes are published.

Membership

• New affiliations: Afghanistan, Cook Islands and Timor Leste.
• Expulsions: Albania and Montenegro.
• Final warning: Djibouti.

Motions

Aside from editorial changes and a complete overhaul Books 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the World Archery Rulebook (including tie-breaking procedures, para archery requirements and ranking by percentage), as well as renumbering of books to simplify reading and comprehension to the rulebook, the following motions were passed:

Aside from editorial changes, the renumbering of books to simplify reading, and a complete overhaul of Books 2, 3, 4 and 5 of the World Archery Rulebook (including tie-breaking procedures, para archery requirements and ranking by percentage), the following motions were passed:

• Establishment of the gender equity and inclusion committee as a permanent committee, effective immediately.
• Modification of the executive committee composition, with all vice presidents serving simultaneously.
• Expansion of the athletes committee to eight members, including elections at the World Archery Youth Championships.
• Inclusion of the under-21 category in para archery rules and renaming of para archery categories
• Implementation of a set system for para matches and introduction of mixed team elimination rounds indoors.
• Expansion of athletes advancing in field and 3D competitions from 16 to a maximum of 24.