President Ratifies First Amendment to Maldives Sports Act – Here’s What It Entails

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu ratified the First Amendment to the Maldives Sports Act today, a step forward in the development and governance of sports in the Maldives.

The bill was ratified during a ceremony at the President’s Office, marking a departure from the usual practice, where ratifications are typically announced solely through a press release.

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President Muizzu answered some questions from the media following the ratification of the Act as well. 

Key Provisions of the Sports Law Amendment

The Amendment introduces several major reforms to strengthen the institutional framework of the Maldivian sports sector and promote sustainable development. The key provisions include:

Decentralising Sports Development: The law empowers atoll and island-level authorities to actively lead and manage sports development in their respective communities.

Forming Regional Sports Associations: It mandates the establishment of regional associations for each sport across the country, along with the launch of regional tournaments to nurture talent and promote nationwide competition.

Creating a Dedicated Sports Fund: The government will establish a specialised fund to support the growth, sustainability, and professionalisation of the sports sector.

Recognising the Maldives Paralympic Committee: The law formally acknowledges the Committee as an independent legal entity with full authority, granting it equal status to the Maldives Olympic Committee.

Establishing Special Divisions under the Paralympic Committee: It requires the creation of dedicated divisions within sports associations to promote inclusivity and support para-athletes.

Setting Up the Maldives National Anti-Doping Agency: An independent legal body will be established to safeguard integrity, fairness, and equality in sports by enforcing anti-doping regulations.

Introducing a Sports Arbitration System: The Amendment mandates the creation of a legal mechanism to protect athletes’ rights and ensure fair resolution of sports-related disputes.

Developing Organised School Sports Structures: The law introduces ‘Inter-Scholastic’ sports associations and clubs to systematically organise and manage school-level sports.

In addition to these core measures, the Amendment outlines further steps to modernise and professionalise the sports sector across the Maldives.

The ratification ceremony was attended by key dignitaries, including the Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation, the Attorney General, the Commissioner of Sports, and the Presidents of the Maldives Olympic Committee and the National Sports Council, along with renowned figures from the sports community, both past and present.

During the ceremony, President Dr Muizzu also addressed the media, providing insights into the objectives and anticipated benefits of the Amendment for the citizens and the broader sporting landscape.

The bill was passed during the 26th sitting of the first session of the 2025 parliamentary term on Monday, May 5, 2025.

Following its ratification, the Amendment has been published in the Government Gazette and has now come into legal effect.