The 2025 FIA General Assembly and Prize Giving concluded in Tashkent last week, bringing together representatives from 147 member nations to shape the direction of global motorsport beyond the racetrack.
While no engines roared, the meetings delivered major governance, financial, and symbolic outcomes that will influence the sport from elite championships to grassroots clubs.
FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem was re elected for a second four year term after securing 91.5 percent of the vote, a decisive endorsement of his leadership.
The assembly also confirmed a significant financial turnaround for the federation, which reported an operating surplus of €4.7 million for 2024, reversing a deficit of nearly €24 million recorded just a few years earlier.
FIA officials said the improved financial position will support long term investments, including grassroots karting and sustainable mobility projects that are expected to benefit national clubs worldwide.
Uganda was represented by NAFKU and the Federation of Motorsport Clubs of Uganda, marking a key moment of international engagement for the country’s motorsport institutions.
Their presence in Tashkent placed Uganda directly within discussions on policy, funding, and global alignment, reinforcing its status as an active stakeholder rather than a peripheral participant.
Away from the formal voting sessions, the assembly provided crucial networking opportunities where strategic relationships are built. Officials described these informal engagements as central to ensuring that developing motorsport nations remain connected to decision making processes that shape calendars, regulations, and development pathways.
The week culminated in the FIA Prize Giving ceremony, where Uganda’s Yasin Nasser and Ali Katumba were honoured for winning the 2025 African Rally Championship title.
The raising of the Ugandan flag alongside those of world champions, including Formula One winner Lando Norris, offered a visible reminder of the country’s growing footprint on the international stage.
Addressing delegates during the opening, Ben Sulayem said, “Great achievements are never the result of one moment or one person. They are the accumulation of countless efforts and shared values.”
Uzbekistan’s hosting of the assembly was widely praised and reflected a broader shift toward inclusive global governance, with emerging motorsport regions taking a more prominent role. As delegates departed Tashkent, the outcomes of the meetings are expected to influence planning for the 2026 season and beyond.
For Uganda, participation in the General Assembly was both symbolic and strategic. Being part of the conversation at this level is seen by local officials as a long term investment, one that strengthens credibility, builds trust, and supports the growth of the sport across the national motorsport ecosystem.
