President: Sports associations will be able to operate free from govt influence

Sports associations will be allowed to operate free from government influence, said President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu on Monday, as he ratified amendments to the Sports Act.

The key sports bill passed by the Parliament on May 5 include amendments to mandate sports associations to follow specific administrative and financial regulations.

During the parliamentary debate on the bill, lawmakers stressed the need to free sports associations from political influence.

The legislature was ratified by President Muizzu in a ceremony held at the President’s Office on Monday, an occasion he described as a historic milestone for Maldivian sports, as the nation takes a significant step forward as a new chapter begins in the sporting landscape of the Maldives.

He said the changes will lead to the decentralization of sports development, broaden opportunities for athletes, and help elevate all sporting disciplines to professional standards.

President Muizzu also provided assurance the government will not interfere in the operations of sports associations, including the Football Association of Maldives (FAM).

He said the role of the government will be limited to ensuring that sports associations follow laws and regulations.

“The government will ensure the laws are enforced. The responsibility of the government is to ensure that everything required under the law is carried out in accordance with set regulations and policies,” he said.

“There are international bodies there to regulate associations that fall under their purview. FIFA will regulate the FAM. And other associations will be regulated by relevant international associations or bodies.”

Speaking further, President Muizzu said the amendments will bring about greater transparency, improved administration, and ensure that the sports sector is governed in line with the principles of good governance.

He said the amendments pave the way for enhanced sports development opportunities and provides a platform for talented athletes from across the Maldives to compete and grow at both national and international levels.

He said that the most impactful change introduced by the new legislature is the decentralization of sports development, ensuring broader reach and inclusivity.

President Muizzu also noted that under the new amendment, the Maldives Paralympic Committee is now recognized as an independent legal entity with full authority, operating on par with the Maldives Olympic Committee.

This move ensures equal sporting opportunities for persons with disabilities, he said.

He also said that the amendment marks the first time that gender discrimination in sports has been explicitly prohibited by legislation in the Maldives.

Key provisions introduced under the new legislature:

• Decentralization of sports development: Empowering atoll and island-level authorities to take an active role in advancing sports at the local level.
• Formation of regional sports associations: Establishing regional associations for each sport across the country, with the introduction of regional tournaments to foster talent and competition nationwide.
• Creation of a dedicated Sports Fund: Launching a specialized fund to provide financial support for the growth and sustainability of the sports sector.
• Recognition of the Maldives Paralympic Committee: Acknowledging the Committee as an independent legal entity with full authority, operating on par with the Maldives Olympic Committee.
• Establishing special divisions under the Maldives Paralympic Committee: Creating divisions within sports associations to promote inclusivity.
• Establishment of the Maldives National Anti-Doping Agency: Creating an independent legal body to uphold integrity, fairness, and equality in sports by overseeing and implementing anti-doping measures.
• Introduction of a sports arbitration system: Mandating the creation and implementation of a legal mechanism to safeguard athletes’ rights and ensure justice in sports-related disputes.
• Creating opportunities for school sports to be organized and conducted systematically: 'inter-scholastic' sports associations and clubs will be established and operate under this law.