The Abolishment of the Sports Advisory Panel - Replaced with Sports Dispute Committee

The Sports Development Act was passed by Parliament and gazetted on 25 September 1997. It promotes and facilitates the development, administration and registration of sports in Malaysia. In order to achieve these objectives, the Act establishes inter alia the Sports Commissioner’s Office and the Sports Advisory Panel. 

The Sports Development Act 1997(“SDA 1997”) was passed by the Malaysian Parliament for the purposes of developing sports. In April of 2018, amendments were made to the SDA 1997.Via amendment, Sports Advisory Panel is replaced with Sports Dispute Committee (SDC).

What was Sports Advisory Panel?

The Sports Advisory Panel constitutes the final avenue to check all irregularities without fear and favour for the best development of sports in Malaysia. The function of this Panel is to advise the Sports Minister on all matters in relation to sports matters, for the purposes of duly administering and enforcing this Act; and/or advise the Sports Minister on any matter referred to it by him/her.

Replaced with Sports Dispute Committee

The Amended Act 2018 thoroughly amended the outgoing Section 24 of the SDA 1997. The new Section 24 reads as follows such:

Section 24 of the Amended Act 2018:

There shall be established a committee to be known as the “Sports Dispute Committee” which shall have the responsibility to hear and resolve disputes referred to it by any member of a sports body or a sports body itself under section 24.

Where a dispute cannot be resolved in accordance with the internal procedures referred to in section 23, any member of a sports body or a sports body itself may refer the dispute to the Sports Dispute Committee for decision.

The Sports Dispute Committee shall ensure that sports bodies and other parties to a sports dispute including athletes be given an affordable, just and speedy means of resolving a sports dispute.

The Sports Dispute Committee shall consist of the following members (5) to be appointed by the Minister:

1. A Chairman;

2. Two members who, in the opinion of the Minister, have experience, qualifications or  have shown capacity and professionalism in matters relating to sports, or to be otherwise suitable for appointment because of their special knowledge and skills; and

3. Two members as the Minister deems fit.

The Chairman and members of the Sports Dispute Committee shall hold office for a period not exceeding two years and shall be eligible for reappointment.

The members of the Sports Dispute Committee shall be paid such remuneration and allowances as the Minister may determine after consultation with the Minister of Finance.

A point to note is that unfortunately, any decision that is made by the SPORTS Dispute Committee may be confirmed,reversed or changed by the Minister (Section 24A(2)).