A new independent general authority for sports will be set up in Bahrain.

Youth and Sports Affairs Minister Aymen Almoayyed told the Shura Council during its weekly session yesterday that the proposed authority would license sports federations and organisations.

It would also enable the move to professional sports in the country in line with regional and world practices.

The minister made the comments as Shura members unanimously approved a new law granting athletes in Bahrain professional status.

The new law aims to elevate the standard of Bahrain’s athletes and clubs, putting them on par with international competitors.

The law, also approved unanimously by MPs in November last year, will pave the way for the formation of a new body to oversee the professional registration of sportsmen and sportswomen.

The government-drafted legislation, which will be now ratified by His Majesty King Hamad, is based on a proposal by the Shura Council.

“The ministry will work on a strategy with legislators to enable the move to professional sports and introduce necessary laws and procedures,” said Mr Almoayyed.

“This law will be followed by an independent authority that will license and monitor sports federations and entities working in the field, which have backed the proposal.”

He added that in future the ministry would have a role similar to that of the Labour and Social Development Ministry, stepping in as mediators should there be a dispute between athletes and their concerned bodies.

“The ministry will turn into an operator and regulator for sports rather the current status of things running independently,” explained Mr Almoayyed.

“We have pitched the authority idea to the leadership and should we get the go-ahead we will move some of the ministry’s work to it,” he said.

“The ministry will continue to oversee financial support through Tamkeen and the Finance and National Economy Ministry and ensure it gets directed towards developing professional sports and winning gold.”

He said investments in clubs will be currently restricted to Bahrainis until further assessment.

It was earlier agreed that the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution would be called upon to arbitrate over any contractual disputes, and health insurance would be included.

Another legislation that would turn local clubs into companies was issued through a royal decree, the Youth and Sports Ministry informed the Shura Council.

The chance for national clubs to change their status to commercial companies would be optional, His Majesty’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa said in June.

The initiative will allow Bahrain to move forward in the sports sector, and open new horizons for clubs to take advantage of the support provided by Tamkeen and banks, as well as the ability to capitalise on investment opportunities in the private sector, he said.

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