A NEW law granting athletes in Bahrain professional status is set for debate during the Shura Council’s weekly session on Sunday.
The law approved unanimously by MPs in November last year will pave the way for the formation of a new body to oversee the professional registration of sportsmen and sportswomen.
The government-drafted legislation is based on a proposal by the Shura Council, and already has the support of Youth and Sport Affairs Minister Aymen Almoayyed.
It was agreed that the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution would be called upon to arbitrate over any contractual disputes, and health insurance would be included.
The new law aims to elevate the standards of Bahrain’s athletes and clubs, putting them on a par with international competitors.
Another legislation that would turn local clubs into companies was issued through a royal decree, the Youth and Sports Ministry informed the Shura Council.
The chance for national clubs to change their status to commercial companies would be optional, His Majesty’s representative for humanitarian work and youth affairs and Supreme Council for Youth and Sport chairman Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa explained in June.
The initiative will allow Bahrain to move forward in the sports sector, and open new horizons for clubs to take advantage of the support provided by Tamkeen and banks, as well as the ability to capitalise on investment opportunities in the private sector, he said.
Meanwhile, Shura members will also vote for the second time to insist on their decision to reject parliamentary moves to ban expats from owning property in certain areas of Bahrain.
MPs have voted twice in favour of a bill banning foreigners from owning homes in areas not considered tourism or investment zones.
Homes
MPs passed the amendments to the 2001 Non-Bahrainis Ownership of Property and Plots Law in April 2019, despite objections from the government, following claims that Bahrainis were being priced out of the property market.
According to the law, foreigners are able to buy property and land anywhere in Bahrain.
However, in 2003 the government imposed restrictions that limit this right to certain locations – such as Hoora, Abu Ghazal in Manama, Al Fateh District in Juffair, the Diplomatic Area, Reef Island and Seef.
Expats can also buy properties at designated investment projects such as Amwaj Islands.
The amendments were originally proposed in October 2017 by MPs who claimed foreigners were inflating property prices because of their higher spending power.
They voted to amend the law to restrict the right of expats to own property to only tourism and investment developments.
However, the government said at the time that expatriate ownership of property did not exceed seven per cent of the market and was mainly in apartments not homes.
GCC nationals and expat inheritors are considered Bahrainis under all laws, but now follow new stricter rules under amendments made to the law last year.
Shura members will also vote on ratifying the set-up law of the Organisation of Islamic Co-operation.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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