A change of leadership at the International Electronic Sports Federation (IESF). The body has announced the appointment of Saudi Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud (pictured above, right) as interim president. He replaces the now ex-president, the American Vlad Marinescu (left in photo) – also Director General of the International Judo Federation (IJF) – who decided to step down before the end of his mandate. According to the official version, Vlad Marinescu no longer had the time required to fully carry out his role at the head of a fast-growing body. Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan Al Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family, was already vice-president of the IESF. His appointment is effective immediately. He will act as interim President until the next General Meeting, at which time a new President will be elected. Vlad Marinescu, who took over as head of the IESF in December 2020, was re-elected at the end of last year for a second three-year term. He was re-elected unopposed with 65 votes in favor, four abstentions and no votes against. His only announced rival, the leader of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Sultan Bin Kalifah Al-Nahyan, withdrew before the vote.
