On Saturday, María Obono Edu Andeme was elected President of the Equatorial Guinean Boxing Federation (FEGUIBOX) with 13 out of 16 votes, becoming the first woman to lead a national sports federation in Equatorial Guinea. Her election marks a significant milestone, highlighting the rise of female leadership in national sports.
In a traditionally male-dominated sports environment, Obono Edu’s election represents a profound shift. While women such as María Rosa Ondo Nsing have led associations within sports federations, none had reached the presidency of a national federation. Obono Edu’s appointment sends a clear message: women can lead, innovate, and transform sports in Equatorial Guinea.
Lagos drives Africa’s digital revolution with new LG3 data center
Her mandate, running through 2029, prioritizes the training of coaches and technical staff, professionalizing the federation, and promoting female participation. “We will create an environment where athletes feel supported, because talent is abundant,” she said, emphasizing a leadership style built on strategy, support, and forward-looking vision.
In the elections, Miguel Mba Obiang received three votes, while Andrés Mba Maye and Leandro Zamora Briones received none. María Obono Edu succeeds Claudio Vázquez, who announced his retirement from sports leadership, paving the way for a more inclusive and modern governance approach. Beyond her personal victory, Obono Edu’s election shatters historical barriers and reshapes the narrative of national sports. Her leadership symbolizes that female leadership is no longer an exception, but a central force for sustainable and professional development in Equatorial Guinea’s sports sector.
Sports Leadership
María Obono Edu Andeme is a lawyer specialized in sports management and institutional leadership, with over a decade of experience in sports administration and governance. She currently leads the Equatorial Guinean Boxing Federation (FEGUIBOX) and has previously served as Secretary General of the National Olympic Committee of Equatorial Guinea, a position she has held since 2021. In the most recent elections for the Olympic Committee presidency, she ran as a candidate, reaffirming her commitment to strengthening the Olympic movement and advancing sports development in the country.
Between 2019 and 2021, she served as Executive Secretary for Administration and Human Resources at the Equatorial Guinean Football Federation (FEGUIFUT), after having been a member of its Disciplinary Committee from 2018 to 2020. Since 2024, she has also chaired the Equatorial Guinean Skateboarding Association, which she founded, promoting youth empowerment and inclusion through emerging sports. Her career reflects technical rigor, strategic leadership, and social commitment, establishing her as one of the most influential female figures in contemporary Equatorial Guinean sports.
