Qatar Sports Arbitration Signs Four MoUs

Doha, October 16 (QNA) - Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation (QSAF), under the patronage of HE President of Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani, has signed four Memoranda of Understanding with the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS), Josoor Institute and the Olympic Academy and Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC). Under the Memorandum of Understanding signed with the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS), QSAF will accommodate the offices of the CAS ad hoc Division during the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup to be hosted by Qatar. Moreover, Josoor Institute and the Olympic Academy will provide the necessary academic and practical training to prepare legal professionals who are interested in sports arbitration which will enable them to be international sports arbitrators according to the International standards. Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre meanwhile will provide the necessary logistical and legal support to enable Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation to operate until its headquarters are completed. HE President of the Qatar Olympic Committee Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al-Thani said after the ceremony that the State of Qatar has taken many steps to regulate the sports sector in order to be more transparent, one of the most important of these steps is the establishment of Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation as an independent organization to resolve all sports-related disputes in accordance with the best international standards. HE added that the environment created for the sports sector is based on the principles of transparency, integrity and combating all kinds of corruption and to achieve this, we have created an independent judicial body that guarantees the application of laws in accordance with best practices. HE Sheikh Joaan explained that the cooperation we are witnessing today between the different sports organizations in the country comes to ensure the optimal exploitation of resources whereas each organization works in its own competence without any waste or repetition of resources. HE Sheikh Joaan concluded his statement by saying that we are proud of the cooperation carried out by the Foundation through signing these agreements, most notably the cooperation agreement with the International Council of Arbitration for Sports (ICAS) to be the first of its kind, which reflects the confidence of international organizations in the state of Qatar and its sports sector. Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and Chairman of Board of the Qatar Olympic Academy Jassim Rashid Al Buainin stated that we are pleased with this agreement, which reflects the extent to which sports institutions cooperate in their respective fields in order to build an integrated sports environment, adding that this agreement will ensure the access of the Qatar Olympic Academy graduates, especially Graduates of the Sports Master's Degree program for the practical training necessary to be at the beginning an effective members at the Sports Arbitration Foundation and in the future at the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). On his part, HE Secretary General at the Supreme Committee for Deilivery & Legacy (SC) Hassan Al Thawadi, said: "We are pleased to witness the signing of a MoU between Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation and Josoor Institute, which aims to build local and regional capabilities in sports arbitration, a field that is considered a key element in growing the sporting industry in the region making it one of the main boosters for Qatar and the Middle East’s economy after 2022." President of Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation (QSAF), Ibrahim Khalil Al Muhannadi, has also stated that under this agreement, Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation will be the seat of the arbitration tribunals for the FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 established by the international Court of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS) for the tournament, and such agreement guarantees the exchange of experiences to ensure that our organization operates in accordance with the best international standards and practices. Al Muhannadi added that through the agreements with Josoor Institute and the Olympic Academy we are seeking to ensure that all those interested in sports arbitration are provided with the necessary training in the country, especially that the two institutions have proven their excellence in the field of training in sports sector. Al Muhnnadi concluded his statement saying that "We are also proud of our agreement with Qatar International Court and the Dispute Resolution Centre, which will provide headquarters and the necessary legal expertise to ensure that the foundation's work is conducted smoothly until the preparation of the foundations sports arbitration headquarters are completed." President of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS), John Coates, said that this step is the first of its kind for the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) and the memorandum of understanding aims to make Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation a perfect location for the tribunal and the CAS arbitrators during the FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022 . He added that he was looking forward to collaborating with Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation in these circumstances. He added that the cooperation that we have seen today between the various judicial and academic institutions is very encouraging, wishing the foundation every success in its missions. President of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport concluded his statement by commending the efforts of the State of Qatar and the steps it has taken to establish an independent foundation for the resolution of sports related disputes. Commenting on the partnership, Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC), Faisal Al Sahouti, said: "The MoU signed between the QICDRC and Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation will further promote the environment of arbitration in our country." He added: "Arbitration has proven to be an effective and efficient route to resolve disputes." He concluded: "I am confident that this partnership will support the development of dispute resolution in Qatar." (QNA)