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Cabinet Resolution on the Participation of Non-National Players in Official Sports Competitions

The last update on this law was listed on 22 May 2018

Related legislations

Issued Date

22 May 2018

Official Gazette Date

31 May 2018

Official Gazette No

631

Legislation State

Active

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to produce an accurate and complete English version of this website/ legislation. However, for the purpose of their interpretation and application, reference must be made to the original Arabic text. In case of conflict, the Arabic text will prevail

The Cabinet:
– Upon review of the Constitution;
– Federal Law No. (1) of 1972 concerning the Competences of Ministries and Powers of Ministers, and any amendments thereof,
– Federal Decree Law No. (7) of 2008 on General Authority for Sports (GAS), as amended,
– Federal Law No. (16) of 2016 regarding the establishment of Emirates Centre of Arbitration for Sports,
– Based on what was presented by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of General Authority for Sports and the approval of the,
Resolves:

Article (1) Definitions

In application of the provisions of this Resolution, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context indicates otherwise:
The State: The United Arab Emirates. 
Authority: General Authority for Sports (GAS). 
National Olympic Committee (NOC): National Olympic Committee (NOC).
Sport Bodies: Anybody working in the field of sport care in the State, including federations, clubs, associations, associations, companies and institutions. 
Sons of citizens of the state: Persons whose mothers have the nationality of the State.
UAE Passport holders category: Persons holding passports issued by the State.
State born: Persons born in the State who are not citizens.
Resident in the State: Persons legally resident on state land of non-ciizens.
Registration: The players of the categories covered by the resolution in sports bodies. 
Professional player: The player who is registered in a sports body under a regular contract and plays against another one. 
The amateur player: The player who is registered in a sports body without a contract. 
The minor player: The player is under the legal age of the state.
Olympic Charter: Is the supreme constitution of the Olympic sport and the organizer of its various affairs.
Sports Federation: A body registered by GSA to manage the affairs of a game/sport (ore more) or some activity.
General Assembly: The legislative and regulating authority of the sports federation.
Emirates Centre of Arbitration for Sports: The competent authority to consider and settle all sport disputes in the UAE according to the procedural rules and statute thereof.

Article (2) Scope of Application

The provisions of this resolution shall apply to all sports bodies registered or licensed by the Authority.

Article (3) Objectives of the Resolution

The resolution aims to:
1. Instilling loyalty and national belonging.
2. Expand the base of practising competitive sports for all sports.
3. To refine and unleash the energies, abilities and creativity of the athletes from these categories in order to achieve the care of the promising champion that can achieve global sports achievements and become the leaders.
4. Building an integrated system that defines the legal and administrative controls, regulations and the requirements of registration in sports bodies.
5. Determine the policies and procedures related to the operations and requirements of registration of these categories in the sports bodies and enhance their participation in local competitions and representation of the state.

Article (4) Categories of Registration of Players

The registered or licensed sports bodies by the Authority have the right to register players from the following categories:
a. Sons of citizens of the state.
b. UAE Passport holders category.
c. State born.
d. Resident in the State.

Article (5) Requirements for Registering the Category of Citizens of the State

The registration of the sons of the citizens of the State in the sports bodies shall be entitled according to the following requirements:
1. To obtain the consent of the guardian if he is a minor player.
2. Provide the following documents:
    a. Summary of the player’s mother.
    b. Identity card of the player’s mother.
    c. Passport of the player’s mother.
    d. The player’s passport (if any).
    e. Identity card of the player.
    f. The player’s birth certificate that is certified by the relevant authorities.
    g. Passport of the player’s guardian or his identity card.
    h. The official document determining the identity of the guardian in case he is not the father.

Article (6) Requirements for Registration of the Passport Holder Category

The registration of the sons of the citizens of the State in the sports bodies shall be entitled according to the following requirements:
1. To obtain the consent of the guardian if he is a minor player.
2. Provide the following documents:
    a. The player’s passport is valid.
    b. The player’s birth certificate is certified by the relevant authorities.
    c. Identity card of the player.

Article (7) Requirements for Registration of the State Born Players

a. The registration of the sons of the citizens of the State in the sports bodies shall be entitled according to the following requirements:
    1. To obtain the consent of the guardian if he is a minor player.
    2. The player shall be a state born.
   3.To have a legal valid residence issued by the State, and the state born players shall be excluded from the exempted countries to obtain residence.
    4. The player is resident in the state with the head of his family or his guardian if he is a minor player.
    5. Provide the following documents:
        a. Passport of the player.
        b. Passport of the player’s guardian.
        c. The player’s birth certificate that is certified by the relevant authorities.
        d. Valid residence.
        e. Identity card of the player.

Article (8) Conditions for Registering the Category of Residents in the State

The registration of the sons of the citizens of the State in the sports bodies shall be entitled according to the following conditions:
1. To obtain the consent of the guardian if he is a minor player.
2. To have a legal residence issued by the State and in force.
3. The residence shall be continuous in the State not less than three years that have passed at the date of registration for the age group above 18 years, and the residence shall be for one year for those who are under this age.
4. The player is resident in the state with the head of his family or his guardian if he is a minor player.
5. Provide the following documents:
    a. Passport of the player.
    b. Passport of the player’s guardian.
    c. The player’s birth certificate that is certified by the relevant authorities.
    d. Valid residence.
    e. Identity card of the player.

Categories of Registration of Players: Article (9) Registration

1. Registration of categories covered by the resolution in accordance with the regulations approved by the Authority.
2. The player shall be registered in the federation in the name of a famous sports body or licensed by the Authority, whether professional or amateur, in accordance with the provisions of this resolution, in order to be able to exercise the chosen sport.
3. Only registered players are eligible to participate in official sports competitions.
4. The player agrees to abide by the rules of this resolution and the regulations of the sports union in the state and the international rules in force in this regard.
5. The player has the right to register for the activity in one sport, whether individual or group at the same time.
6. The sports bodies registered or licensed by the Authority shall exclusively register the categories referred to in Article (4) of this Resolution and in accordance with the terms and conditions referred to in the provisions of this Resolution.

Article (10) International Transition Certificate

Players registered in sports federations in their countries holders of passports thereof may register in any of the sports federations in the state in accordance with the relevant international rules and regulations in accordance with the provisions of this resolution.

Article (11) Legal Controls for Registration of Players

1. Each player is obliged to attach all the documents and papers mentioned in the provisions of this resolution when submitting the application for registration.
2. All players from the categories covered by the resolution are bound by all the legal regulations in the sports federations and are applied in this resolution.

Article (12) Administrative Controls for Registration of Players

The club wishing to register players from the categories covered by the resolution shall abide by all the rules determined by the Sports Federation in the State, for the players registered in the sports associations of their original passport in accordance with the national and international rules and regulations in force in this regard.

Article (13) Update the Player Lists

The sports bodies entrusted with registering the players covered by the resolution shall be obliged to update annually all data related to them in full coordination with the Authority.

Article (14) Representation by Players Internationally

The Authority is competent to study the representation of talented players internationally, and to submit its recommendations to the concerned authorities in the State.

Article (15) Right to Care

When a player is registered in any of the sports federations in his native country after being registered in the sports body in the state, that sports authority may claim the right of care for each training year spent by that player in accordance with the relevant national and international rules and regulations.

Article (16) Sports Arbitration and Sports Disputes

Emirates Centre of Arbitration for Sports is exclusively concerned with the consideration of disputes arising from the application of the provisions of this resolution.

Article (17) Obligations of the Categories Covered by this Resolution

The categories covered by the resolution are:
1. The rules and legal controls contained in the provisions of this resolution.
2. Provide loyalty and belonging to the state through sports practice.
3. Ethics and values of sport.
4. Rules and regulations prescribed by clubs and sports federations.
5. Rules and Regulations of National Anti-Doping Committee.
6. Rules and regulations for national and international sports federations.
7. Optimal representation of the state and respect for the values, customs and disciplines of the state.
8. Rules and provisions relating to the preservation of the reputation of the State.
9. Compliance with all rules and legal regulations related to transparency, integrity and disclosure in the process of submitting documents and papers.

Article (18) Penalties

The penalties for violating the provisions of this resolution shall be imposed in respect of the technical and legal aspects associated with the registration of players in accordance with the regulations of each sports union.

Article (19) Define Numbers of Players’ Registration

Registration of players in accordance with the tables attached to this resolution, and the players of the category of nationals and holders of State passports shall be treated when registering the same as the citizen.

Article (20) Determine the Number of Players Participating in Official Competitions

1. Registered players from the category of nationals and holders of state passports are allowed to participate in official sports competitions and are treated as citizens.
2. Each Union shall have the right to regulate the participation of registered players from the categories of born and residents of the State, in accordance with the technical rules and regulations governing the Federation’s internal competitions.

Final Provisions: Article (21) 

1. The sports bodies or the general assemblies may not change the legal controls, documents and papers required for the process of registration of players from the categories covered by the resolution, as well as all numbers to be registered by the sports bodies referred to in the tables attached to this resolution.
2. The Authority shall have the right to interpret and make the final decision in all that is not mentioned in this resolution, as well as in emergency matters and circumstances.
3. The Authority may interpret the provisions of this Resolution and amend the schedules attached thereto based on the recommendations of the concerned sports authorities with the State.
4. All existing sports bodies shall apply the provisions of this resolution in connection with registration from the day following the date of publishing the resolution.
5. All existing sports bodies shall apply the provisions of this resolution in regard with the participation of players in official competitions in accordance with the rules governing the competitions of each sports body.

Article (22) Regularisation

All existing sports bodies shall regularise in accordance with the provisions of this resolution within a period not exceeding three months from the date of the implementation of its provisions.

Article (23) Executive Resolutions

1. The Board of Directors of the Authority shall issue the resolutions necessary to implement the provisions of this Resolution.
2. The Board of Directors of the Authority has the right to amend or update the registration numbers of players.

Article (24) Publication and Enforcement

This Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force on the day following the date of its publication.

To view tables and schedules,

please click here

Translated in cooperation with