President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has ratified a comprehensive amendment to the Maldives Sports Act, setting in motion a far-reaching transformation of the nation's sports governance. The reforms, aimed at decentralising authority, strengthening athlete protections, and expanding financial support, mark one of the most significant legislative shifts in the sector's history.
The ceremony held at the President's Office underscores the government's commitment to fostering athletic development and institutional integrity while increasing participation across the country. The revised law redefines the framework for sports administration, placing greater responsibility in the hands of regional bodies and creating new financial structures to ensure sustained investment in the sector.
Originally enacted in 2015, the Sports Act now includes measures that empower atoll- and island-level authorities to play a more prominent role in local sports development. Alongside this, the formation of regional sports associations for individual disciplines aims to formalise competitive structures and cultivate talent nationwide.
Integral to the reforms is the establishment of a National Sports Fund, designed to streamline financial assistance under a transparent governance model. The fund will allocate resources directly to athletes and organisations while also supporting infrastructure development and research initiatives. A seven-member board, appointed by the Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation, will oversee its operations, ensuring that investments are managed responsibly and serve long-term objectives. The government anticipates that this mechanism will facilitate the emergence of elite competitors while securing financial stability for the broader sports sector.
The amendment also implements fundamental institutional changes, including granting the Maldives Paralympic Committee formal recognition as an independent entity on equal footing with the Maldives Olympic Committee. To reinforce inclusivity, national sports associations are required to establish specialised divisions under the Paralympic framework. In addition, the Maldives National Anti-Doping Agency will be formally instituted as an autonomous regulatory body, tasked with enforcing anti-doping measures and upholding integrity across professional and amateur sports.
The legislative overhaul extends to safeguarding athlete rights, introducing a sports arbitration system to provide legal recourse in disputes and ensure fair adjudication of grievances. As part of a broader effort to strengthen grassroots participation, the amendment formalises a structure for scholastic sports, facilitating inter-school competitions and club development under a dedicated legal framework.
Beyond governance, the reforms take direct aim at systemic inequalities within the sector, seeking to close gender disparities and improve equitable access to financial assistance. Recognising the broader societal impact of sports, the government has positioned athletic development as a means to address poverty, social challenges, and public health concerns, integrating sports into national welfare initiatives.
The bill underpinning these changes was submitted to the parliament on 26 November 2024, sponsored by Dhidhdhoo lawmaker Abdul Latheef Mohamed, and passed on 5 May 2025 during the 26th sitting of the parliamentary session. The legislative process included consultations with sports officials and public forums, culminating in a framework informed by expert recommendations and sector-wide input.
Sports Minister Abdulla Rafiu described the reforms as the product of extensive policy work, integrating elements from a long-term national vision spanning two decades. He reiterated the government's expectation that newly established regional associations would play a crucial role in expanding sports accessibility across the country.
At the ratification ceremony, government officials including Attorney General Ahmed Usham, the Commissioner of Sports, and the presidents of the Maldives Olympic Committee and the National Sports Council were present, alongside influential figures from the sporting community.
President Muizzu addressed the media following the event, outlining the objectives behind the amendment. The occasion marked the first time he ratified a bill in a live event attended by journalists since assuming office. Following its ratification, the amendment has been published in the Government Gazette, officially coming into legal effect.