Muscat: On Wednesday morning, the Shura Council's Youth and Human Resources Committee convened a consultative meeting with several local sports club presidents.
The meeting was convened to discuss the Draft Law on Sports Associations, which the Government has submitted to the Council, as part of the Committee's aim to ensure that the draft law's provisions correspond to the realities and challenges confronting sports clubs in the Sultanate.
The move also emphasizes the Council's legislative function as defined in Article 47 of the Council of Oman Law, which states that draft laws prepared by the Government must be presented to the Council for discussion, approval, or modification before being submitted to His Majesty the Sultan for ratification and issuance.
At the start of the meeting, Younis Ali AlMandhari, Chair of the Committee, greeted the club presidents and thanked them for their attendance and participation.
He emphasized the value of direct dialogue in enhancing legislative debates with practical feedback that aids in the development of the draft law in a way that benefits the sports sector and aligns with the goals of the next phase.
He also emphasized the value of interacting with sports organizations and hearing to their viewpoints as part of a participatory approach to legislative decision-making in Oman.
AlMandhari stated that the proposal law is being presented to strengthen the legislative framework for the sports sector, in accordance with the goals of Oman Vision 2040, by updating laws to keep up with rapid changes in the sports industry.
He emphasized the importance of a flexible and effective legal framework governing interactions between all stakeholders to ensure a fair and transparent sports ecosystem. The legislation represents a nationwide belief in the significance of sport as a cornerstone of sustainable development, as well as a way of instilling national values, promoting a culture of fair competition, and encouraging teamwork.
During the meeting, the Committee outlined the important features of the draft law, while the club presidents offered a variety of viewpoints and concerns related to numerous legislative and procedural components.
The conversations focused on articles concerning the official acknowledgment of sports organizations, disciplinary procedures, and methods for resolving sports-related conflicts. These conversations highlight the Committee's dedication to interacting directly with sector stakeholders to guarantee that the law's final version is complete, coherent, and follows best legislative and regulatory practices.
At the end of the meeting, attendees agreed that the Draft Law on Sports Associations is an important legal step toward controlling Oman's sports sector. They voiced support for its goal of reaffirming the principle of cooperation between the government and sports organizations, improving institutional performance, and advancing sports management to greater professionalism and sustainability.
It is significant that the new draft law includes nine chapters and sixty-nine articles. It is a complete revision of the 2007 law governing private sports associations and emphasizes the need for an improved legal framework to increase the sports sector's efficiency, as well as support the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Youth in regulating this vital domain.
This consultative meeting took place as part of the Youth and Human Resources Committee's 16th meeting during the second annual session of the Council's 10th term (2023-2027), chaired by Younis Ali AlMandhari and attended by committee members.
