Frequently Asked Questions for
The legal basis rests upon the Public Nuisance Law and violations of municipal licensing conditions. The law empowers authorities to revoke or decline the renewal of a license if security and municipal reports establish that the facility causes permanent and continuous disruption to the peace of residents, applying the legal maxim: "Warding off harm takes precedence over bringing benefits."
Are there legally binding operating hours for stadiums located within residential neighborhoods?
The complaint must be submitted to the relevant municipality. Technical specifications dictate the angles and intensity of lighting in residential zones to prevent light pollution and safeguard the privacy of residents.
Complaints regarding these matters are raised to the relevant municipality. There are specific technical specifications governing the angles and intensity of lighting in residential areas to ensure that neighbors' privacy is not violated and to prevent "light pollution."
The primary regulatory benchmark relies on the professional certifications based on which the trainer obtained their "Sijili" license. Legally, a trainer bears tort liability (negligence) if it is proven that they were negligent or prescribed exercises incompatible with the trainee’s health status without conducting an initial assessment.
Training is permitted within a private residence if the property owner consents. However, utilizing common facilities (such as the compound's shared gym) for commercial purposes is prohibited unless authorized by the homeowners' association (Union of Owners) or property management. In the event of a disturbance, the property management has the right to bar the trainer from entering, and residents may file a report with the police for disturbance or violation of the facility's designated use.
Since the trainer operates under a commercial registration ("Sijili"), they are treated as a sole proprietorship. Complaints are submitted through the channels of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce or the Minor Civil Courts in the event of financial claims or breaches of verbal or written contractual terms.
Public parks are designated for personal, non-commercial use. Conducting commercial activity (such as training for a fee) requires a permit from the Ministry of Municipalities. Exploiting public spaces for profitable purposes without a license exposes the trainer to legal liability and financial penalties.
Generally, this is not permitted unless there is a prior commercial agreement with the gym's management. Commercial gyms are entities that pay rent and licensing fees; therefore, an external trainer utilizing these facilities to generate profit without a formal agreement is considered an "infringement" or unfair competition, and the gym reserves the right to bar them.
These amenities are subject to the public health and hygiene standards of the Ministry of Health, as well as the safety standards of the General Directorate of Civil Defence. The primary regulatory responsibility lies with the Ministry of Health. Oversight is maintained through periodic inspection tours conducted by health inspectors to verify chlorine levels, water cleanliness, and ventilation systems.
The licensing authority must be notified immediately, as engaging in an unlicensed activity is a violation of the law.
No, they do not have the right to do so. Any fees not explicitly stated in the signed contract between the two parties constitute a clear violation. Transparency in pricing is a legal mandate, and imposing unexpected fees is considered a form of commercial deception.
The primary authority is the Consumer Protection Directorate at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, as a contract is the governing law between the contracting parties. If the contract stipulates a right to a refund and the facility refuses to comply, a formal complaint should be filed there.
Additionally, a recourse can be made to the General Sports Authority (or the ministry responsible for sports) in its capacity as the licensing authority for the facility, to ensure its compliance with regulations.
This can be achieved by visiting the official website of the Legislation and Legal Opinion Commission to review Decision No. (18) of 2023 regarding the Implementation of the Technical Specifications and Standards Guide for Commercial Sports Services and Activities.
The requirements can be reviewed on the official website of the General Sports Authority via the following path: Our Services → Sports Requirements Guide.
Licensing applications are submitted through the official website of the Ministry of Industry and Commerce (MOIC). The application is subsequently referred to the Directorate of Legal Affairs and Licensing to complete the necessary procedures.
Yes, there is Law No. (8) of 2021 regarding Sports Professionalism and its amendments. Additionally, the General Sports Authority is currently in the process of issuing the General Framework for Sports Professionalism.
There are specific financial regulations that govern all monetary aspects of players' contracts. Furthermore, all financial transactions are subject to oversight and auditing by the concerned department at the General Sports Authority.
The Board of Directors bears joint and several liability for the decisions and contracts it approves and adopts. This is in accordance with Article (34 bis) of Decision No. (1) of 1990 regarding the Model Regulations for the Articles of Association of Clubs and its amendments, which states:
"The Chairman and members of the club’s Board of Directors shall be jointly and severally liable for settling debts arising from contracts, agreements, or decisions concluded or taken by the club without the availability of financial appropriations for them. A member shall not be held liable if they prove their objection to such actions in the minutes of the meeting. A board member shall be personally liable for any action committed by them in violation of the provisions contained in these regulations and the internal bylaws of the club."
No, a professional player is not permitted to hold contracts with two different clubs concurrently, as this constitutes a gross violation of local and international regulations and undermines the principle of contractual stability. However, a player may be loaned from one club to another, in which case they shall play exclusively for the club to which they have been transferred.
As a party to the contract, the club bears specific liability toward the player and must fulfill its obligations as stipulated in the agreement. For instance, if the club terminates the contract unilaterally before its expiration date, it is liable to pay the full remaining value of the contract.
The Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR). Per the model contracts prepared by the General Sports Authority, parties are directed to refer to the BCDR in the event of a dispute. Appeals may also be lodged with the Chamber after the dispute has been initially presented to the specialized committees formed by the respective concerned federations.
Parties have the legal right to include a penalty clause in contracts to safeguard their respective rights, provided that such clauses do not conflict with applicable laws and regulations.
In sports contracts, Force Majeure is defined as an external, unpredictable, and unavoidable event that renders the fulfillment of contractual obligations absolutely impossible—rather than merely difficult or burdensome. In the sports sector, such events result in the suspension, postponement, or termination of the contract.
Because sports injuries are predictable and not impossible occurrences, they do not constitute Force Majeure. Consequently, an injured player remains protected by their contract, and the club’s obligations toward them continue. The club has no right to terminate the contract solely due to a long-term injury unless it complies with the specified liquidated damages (termination penalty clause).
It must be considered that the nature of each contract varies; a contract may include specific clauses or amend/cancel of others. The essential requirements include, but are not limited to:
- Defining the laws and regulations applicable to the contract.
- Specifying the validity period of the contract with absolute clarity (e.g., the contract commences on [Date] and expires on [Date]).
- Outlining the obligations of both parties.
- Defining disciplinary liability.
- Specifying the cases for termination, suspension, and rescission of the contract.
- Identifying the competent authority for settling disputes arising from the contract.
A sports player is considered a professional athlete pursuant to the Sports Professionalism Law issued by Decision No. (8) of 2021 and its amendments. Consequently, the player is subject to international and local rules and regulations governing the sport. As for Labor Law, it applies to administrative and support staff, such as drivers or laborers.
Requests to book a sports facility for non-sports purposes are submitted by official bodies and sports entities affiliated with the General Sports Authority by sending an official request letter through formal channels. The request is reviewed by the Investment Committee, which then grants or denies approval and notifies the applicant.
Booking requests for sports facilities are submitted by official bodies and sports entities affiliated with the General Sports Authority. A facility booking form must be completed during the application process and sent along with an official request letter through formal channels. The request is evaluated by the concerned personnel, and an approval or rejection notice is issued to the applicant.
Requests for the maintenance of sports facilities affiliated with sports entities are submitted by sending an official letter detailing the request through formal channels. The request is then reviewed by the relevant department to take the necessary action and notify the applicant.
The maintenance works supervised by the General Sports Authority (GSA) focus strictly on facilities designated for sports use, club affiliates, and players. The Authority does not maintain facilities or premises that fall under the commercial investments of the entity.
The Authority undertakes major maintenance works, which include:
- Central air conditioning systems and primary electrical works.
- Lighting for stadiums, sports fields, and sports halls.
- Water pumps for natural grass pitches and central water heaters.
- Fire safety systems, elevators, and major structural maintenance.
- Maintenance of natural grass pitches, artificial turf fields, and landscaped areas.
Note: A specific maintenance budget is allocated solely for minor maintenance works, which are supervised and executed directly by the respective sports entity.
Complaints can be submitted by logging into the National Suggestions and Complaints System, "Tawasul."