Abu Dhabi Sports Council Granted New Powers to License Sports Entities
The Abu Dhabi Executive Council (ADEC) has expanded the mandate of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council (ADSC), giving it responsibility for regulating and licensing sporting establishments and entities across the emirate.
The expanded powers will also include accrediting sports professionals and issuing licences that allow them to work within authorised sporting establishments and entities. ADSC will coordinate with the relevant authorities as it carries out these responsibilities.
ADEC issued the resolution on September 23. The detailed licensing regulations will require separate approval from the Executive Council before they can take effect.
Licensing rules to cover entities and professionals
Under the expanded mandate, ADSC will oversee the regulation and licensing of sporting establishments and entities operating across Abu Dhabi.
The resolution also establishes a separate framework for professional oversight. ADSC will be responsible for granting professional accreditation and issuing licences to qualified sports professionals to practise across the emirate.
Authorities have yet to announce the eligibility criteria for sporting establishments or individual professionals. Details on application fees, licence validity periods, renewal conditions and compliance requirements have also not been released.
The September 23 announcement did not provide a timeline for implementation. It also did not specify the sporting disciplines or professional categories that will fall under the forthcoming regulations.
ADSC’s Board of Directors will be responsible for developing the detailed regulations. These rules, covering establishments, entities, professional accreditation and licences, will then require approval from ADEC.
The expanded licensing framework will involve coordination with relevant government authorities. Further procedural details will be determined through regulations issued by the ADSC Board and subsequently approved by the Executive Council.