QSAF collaborates with ICAS/CAS

Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation under the auspices of H.E. Sheikh. Joaan Bin Hamad Al-Thani the President of Qatar Olympic Committee, has signed four Memorandum 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 Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation (QSAF) will be the headquarters of CAS during the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup™ to be hosted by Qatar. In addition, Josoor Institute and the Olympic Academy will provide the necessary academic and practical training for prepare legal professionals who are interested in sports arbitration which will enable them to be international sports arbitrators according to the International standards. Furthermore, Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre will provide the necessary logistical and legal support to enable Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation to operate until its headquarters are completed.

 His Excellency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the President of the Qatar Olympic Committee, 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. His Excellency 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.

H.E. 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.

His Excellency 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 Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS) to be the first of its kind, which reflects the confidence of international organizations in the state of Qatar and its sports sector.

H.E. Hassan Bin Abdullah Al Thawadi, Secretary General of Qatar’s  Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy (SC), has stated that we are pleased with this cooperation between Josoor Institute and Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation, through which we seek to contribute to professional development, which will be a legal legacy for the sports field in general and sports arbitration, in particular in Qatar .He added that the agreement concluded with the International Court of Arbitration (CAS) is the first of its kind at the level of the World Cup Tournaments and we are proud that the state of Qatar has the lead in this reference.

His Excellency concluded his statement by praising this kind of cooperation, which involves the optimal exploitation of resources and provides a legal infrastructure that will be the legacy of the FIFA World Cup 2022™ we are proud of.

Mr. Ibrahim Khalil Al Muhannadi, President of Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation (QSAF) 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  (CAS) 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.

Mr. 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.

Mr. 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 foundation’s sports arbitration headquarters are completed.”

Mr. John Coates, President of the International Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said that this step is the first of its kind for the International Court of Arbitration (CAS) and the memorandum of understanding aims to make Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation a seat for the tribunals and the arbitrators of the International Court of Arbitration (CAS) during the FIFA Qatar World Cup 2022™, he added that he looks forward to collaborating with Qatar Sports Arbitration Foundation in all areas that will support Qatar Sports Arbitration in its operations and in the transfer of expertise that it might need. He added that the cooperation that we have seen today between the various judicial and academic institutions is a cause for happiness wishing the foundation every success in its missions.

He 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.

Mr. Jassim Rashid Al Buainin, Secretary General of the Qatar Olympic Committee and President of the Olympic Academy, 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 academy’s 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 (CAS).

Commenting on the partnership, Mr. Faisal Al-Sahouti, Chief Executive Officer of the Qatar International Court and Dispute Resolution Centre (QICDRC) 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.”