Maldives Hosts First Sports Arbitration Conference
The Maldives International Arbitration Centre (MIAC), in collaboration with the Maldives Olympic Committee (MOC) and the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC), held the first Sports Arbitration Conference in the Maldives on 11 October 2026 at Crossroads Maldives.
The conference commenced with remarks by MIAC Vice Chairman Mr. Mohamed Aseel Hassan, who thanked the collaborating organisations and distinguished speakers for their contributions.
MOC Secretary General Mr. Thamooh Ahmed Saeed highlighted the significance of the conference at a crucial time for Maldivian sport, following recent amendments to the Maldives Sports Act introducing provisions for sports arbitration. He emphasised the importance of fair and independent dispute resolution mechanisms to safeguard athletes' rights and strengthen good governance.
A key highlight was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between MIAC and AIAC, marking an important step towards strengthening institutional cooperation and arbitration expertise.
The technical sessions featured insights from Ms. Heather Yee Jing Wah of AIAC, who discussed the Maldives Arbitration Act (Law No. 10/2013), the country's accession to the New York Convention in September 2019, and institutional and administered arbitration.
The conference also featured Mr. Richard Wee, who contributed to discussions on sports arbitration and the importance of effective dispute resolution mechanisms within the sporting sector.
