Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Sharqi has joined the IFBB board ©IFBB

The International Federation of Fitness and Bodybuilding (IFBB) have announced that Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Sharqi has been appointed to the organisation's Executive Board.

He will serve as the governing body's new vice-president for Asia.

The IFBB said that Sheikh Abdullah, from the United Arab Emirates, has an "excellent background as a public and sports administrator". 

He is already the President of the Emirates Bodybuilding Federation.

Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Sharqi is the President of the Emirates Bodybuilding Federation ©EBBF
Sheikh Abdullah Bin Hamad Al Sharqi is the President of the Emirates Bodybuilding Federation ©EBBF

"He already worked in close cooperation with the IFBB and President Rafael Santonja on the development of our sport on the Asian continent and on the international activities carried out by the IFBB," a statement added.

The IFBB have also announced that they will now organise an unprecedented number of international events with a particular focus on Asia.

They are recognised by the Olympic Council of Asia and have participated at the Asian Beach Games.