By Graham Thomas
World Boccia president Jon Morgan has welcomed the election of Portugal’s Leila Marques Mota as First Vice-President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) — and praised her leadership, values, and vision for inclusion.
Mota’s election came during the recent 2025 IPC General Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, and has been an appointment warmly received across the Paralympic movement.
She succeeds New Zealand’s Duane Kale, who had completed the maximum number of terms on the IPC Governing Board.
Mota is already a well-known and respected figure throughout boccia as a member of World Boccia’s Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) Committee.
Morgan said Mota’s appointment represented “a hugely positive step” for international sport, highlighting her record of advocacy, athlete-centred leadership, and her ability to connect across nations and disciplines.
“Leila’s election is fantastic news for the whole Paralympic family,” said Morgan.
“On behalf of everyone at World Boccia, we offer Leila our warmest congratulations on this significant achievement.
“Leila brings a remarkable breadth of experience to her new role, drawing on her background as a former Paralympian, an accomplished sports leader, and a dedicated medical practitioner.
“These diverse experiences equip her with a unique perspective and a wealth of knowledge that will undoubtedly benefit the IPC Governing Board. In addition to her expertise, Leila’s dynamic energy and focused approach are expected to make a substantial impact in her new position.
“World Boccia deeply values Leila’s ongoing contribution to our own Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE) Committee.
“Her expertise, passion, and insightful leadership have been instrumental within our organisation.
“We are confident that she will bring the same high level of commitment and excellence to her responsibilities at the IPC. We wish Leila every success as she embarks on this exciting new chapter.
Mota, who becomes one of the highest-ranking Portuguese officials in world sport, said she was “deeply honoured” by her election and eager to serve with openness and integrity.
“I feel very good and deeply honoured to be elected Vice President of the IPC. I thank all the members that trusted me and feel that I will be able to do a good job,” said Mota.
“I hope I can deliver what I promised. I want to serve with active listening, integrity, transparency and close connection to everyone so all the members and all the athletes can feel listened to and equally represented at the IPC.”
A four-time Paralympian in Para swimming, Mota represented Portugal at several Games before moving into leadership roles.
She currently serves as Vice-President of the Portuguese Paralympic Committee and sits on the Executive and Directors Board of the Portuguese Sports Foundation.
She was Chef de Mission for Portugal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and formerly chaired the Women in Sport Commission of the Portuguese Olympic Committee.
A medical doctor with a degree from the University of Lisbon and a postgraduate diploma in Sports Medicine from the IOC, she has long championed athlete welfare and gender equality in sport.
The General Assembly also elected Denmark’s John Petersson as Second Vice-President. Petersson, a five-time Paralympian and 15-time medal winner in Para swimming, has held senior leadership roles across European sport for more than two decades.
“I’m absolutely blown away to be elected the IPC’s Second Vice-President. It’s quite amazing and I have worked hard for many years to achieve this,” said Petersson.
Meanwhile, Brazil’s Andrew Parsons was re-elected IPC President for a third and final four-year term after winning 109 of 177 valid votes against South Korea’s Dong Hyun Bae.
Under Parsons’ leadership, the IPC has strengthened its partnership with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) through to 2032 and successfully steered the movement through major challenges, including the pandemic and record-breaking Games in Tokyo 2020, Beijing 2022, and Paris 2024.
For Morgan, the newly formed leadership team — Parsons, Mota, and Petersson —represents a blend of experience, innovation, and athlete-first thinking that will serve the movement well.
Morgan added: “World Boccia extends heartfelt congratulations to Andrew Parsons on his re-election for a third term as President of the IPC.
“We also congratulate John Peterssen on his election as Second Vice-President. Their continued leadership promises further progress and success for the IPC.”
The General Assembly adjourned before completing the election of Members-at-Large to the IPC Governing Board.
Those remaining positions will be filled during an upcoming Extraordinary General Assembly held remotely, in accordance with the IPC Constitution.
