The College of Law at Qatar University (QU) hosted a research symposium entitled “The Independence of Sports Federations: Some Legal Limits.” Muhannad Mukhtar Noah, Professor of Public Law, and Mr. Ahmed Noah Al-Thani, Director of Legal Affairs at the Qatar Olympic Committee, discussed the legal issues of Qatari and international laws on sport federations. Abdel-Nasser Hayajneh, Professor of Private and Sports Law at QU, moderated the discussion panel in the presence of faculty members, scholars, and students.

Mr. Ahmed Al-Thani initiated the discussion by presenting his insights into the limits of sports federations' independence. Drawing on his practical experience at both the Qatar Olympic Committee and the Qatar Equestrian Federation, he distinguished between Olympic and non-Olympic sports federations. Al-Thani highlighted that Qatar adopted the unified statute of Qatari sports federations in 1992, emphasizing their legal personality and role in managing specific sports at the local level while being affiliated with international sports federations.

Mr. Al-Thani stressed the importance of sports federations adhering to statutes, regulations, national laws, and international standards in sports law and administration. Al-Thani noted the United Nations General Assembly's 2014 resolution, "Sports for Development and Peace," affirming the international community's commitment to sports independence and the role of the International Olympic Committee. He pointed to Article 25 of the Olympic Charter, which mandates each international federation's independence in managing its sport.

Noting the principles and limits of the independence of sports bodies from the state, the principle that the National Olympic Committee may not interfere in national sports federations, the principle that national sports federations may not interfere with the rules of the game, and the principle of the independence of sports from the national judiciary.

In continuation, Prof. Muhannad Mukhtar presented the outcome of a research project funded by the Qatar National Research Fund (QNRF) on the legal status of sports federations in Qatar. The project emphasized the need for the State of Qatar to take the initiative to develop a law specific to sports that defines the principles of sports law and administration and establishes international standards and best practices in the fields of the formation and management of sports bodies, their support, and their independence.

Prof. Muhannad shared insights from the French experience in the field of establishing sports federations and their independence internally from the state and externally from international federations. He also spoke about the oversight to which sports federations are subject, whether oversight of legality or oversight of the Court of Accounts, pointing to the public assistance contract and the state’s recognition and support of sports federations, and that sports federations and international organizations are associations and are not subjects of international law. Emphasizing the necessity of considering sport as a public facility.

Professor Abdel Nasser Hayajna added depth to the discussion, emphasizing that sports necessitate a special legislative and administrative organization and pointing out the importance of constitutionalizing sports. This includes consecrating the independence of sports bodies and the state’s support for them, and establishing a constitutional basis for sports regulations within the framework of sports federations and the Qatar Arbitration Foundation. The State of Qatar invested in sports, making it one of the leading countries in the field of sports legislation and management, so that this investment has borne fruit in the country’s position in the sports field and the achievements that Qatari sports have achieved regionally and globally.

Prof. Hayajna calls for the completion of the legislative structure of sports by establishing a comprehensive and modern law for sports. For the State of Qatar to be a model in the field of independence of sports bodies and the promotion of integrity in sports in line with international standards governing sports. He also pointed out the interest of the College of Law at QU in teaching the sports law course to provide graduates with basic knowledge and experience in the field of law and sports management and to provide the country with specialists in this field.

In conclusion, the speakers answered questions from the audience regarding the limits of sports federations' independence and the international standards governing sports management. The symposium showcased Qatar University's commitment to advancing knowledge in sports law and contributing to the nation's leadership in the field.