UAE Sports LawCabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2018 on the Participation of Non-National Players in Official Sports Competitions

Article (1) Definitions In application of the provisions of this Resolution, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings assigned to each of them, unless the context indicates otherwise: The State : The United Arab Emirates. Authority : General Authority for Sports (GAS). National Olympic Committee (NOC) : National Olympic Committee (NOC). Sport Bodies : Anybody working in the field of sport care in the State, including federations, clubs, associations, associations, companies and institutions. Sons of citizens of the state : Persons whose mothers have the nationality of the State. UAE Passport holders category : Persons holding passports issued by the State. State born : Persons born in the State who are not citizens. Resident in the State : Persons legally resident on state land of non-ciizens.

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Cabinet Resolution of 2018 on the Participation of Non-National Players in Official Sports Competitions 2 Registration : The players of the categories covered by the resolution in sports bodies. Professional player : The player who is registered in a sports body under a regular contract and plays against another one. The amateur player : The player who is registered in a sports body without a contract. The minor player : The player is under the legal age of the state. Olympic Charter : Is the supreme constitution of the Olympic sport and the organizer of its various affairs. Sports Federation : A body registered by GSA to manage the affairs of a game/sport (ore more) or some activity. General Assembly : The legislative and regulating authority of the sports federation. Emirates Centre of Arbitration for Sports : The competent authority to consider and settle all sport disputes in the UAE according to the procedural rules and statute thereof.

Article (3) Objectives of the Resolution The resolution aims to: 1. Instilling loyalty and national belonging. 2. Expand the base of practising competitive sports for all sports. 3. To refine and unleash the energies, abilities and creativity of the athletes from these categories in order to achieve the care of the promising champion that can achieve global sports achievements and become the leaders. 4. Building an integrated system that defines the legal and administrative controls, regulations and the requirements of registration in sports bodies. 5. Determine the policies and procedures related to the operations and requirements of registration

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Cabinet Resolution of 2018 on the Participation of Non-National Players in Official Sports Competitions 3 of these categories in the sports bodies and enhance their participation in local competitions and representation of the state.

Article (5) Requirements for Registering the Category of Citizens of the State The registration of the sons of the citizens of the State in the sports bodies shall be entitled according to the following requirements: 1. To obtain the consent of the guardian if he is a minor player. 2. Provide the following documents: a. Summary of the player’s mother. b. Identity card of the player’s mother. c. Passport of the player’s mother. d. The player’s passport (if any). e. Identity card of the player. f. The player’s birth certificate that is certified by the relevant authorities. g. Passport of the player’s guardian or his identity card. h. The official document determining the identity of the guardian in case he is not the father.

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Cabinet Resolution of 2018 on the Participation of Non-National Players in Official Sports Competitions 4

Article (7) Requirements for Registration of the State Born Players a. The registration of the sons of the citizens of the State in the sports bodies shall be entitled according to the following requirements: 1. To obtain the consent of the guardian if he is a minor player. 2. The player shall be a state born. 3. To have a legal valid residence issued by the State, and the state born players shall be excluded from the exempted countries to obtain residence. 4. The player is resident in the state with the head of his family or his guardian if he is a minor player. 5. Provide the following documents: a. Passport of the player. b. Passport of the player’s guardian. c. The player’s birth certificate that is certified by the relevant authorities. d. Valid residence. e. Identity card of the player.

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Article (8) Conditions for Registering the Category of Residents in the State The registration of the sons of the citizens of the State in the sports bodies shall be entitled according to the following conditions: 1. To obtain the consent of the guardian if he is a minor player. 2. To have a legal residence issued by the State and in force. 3. The residence shall be continuous in the State not less than three years that have passed at the date of registration for the age group above 18 years, and the residence shall be for one year for those who are under this age. 4. The player is resident in the state with the head of his family or his guardian if he is a minor player. 5. Provide the following documents: a. Passport of the player. b. Passport of the player’s guardian. c. The player’s birth certificate that is certified by the relevant authorities. d. Valid residence. e. Identity card of the player. Categories of Registration of Players

Article (9) Registration 1. Registration of categories covered by the resolution in accordance with the regulations approved by the Authority. 2. The player shall be registered in the federation in the name of a famous sports body or licensed by the Authority, whether professional or amateur, in accordance with the provisions of this resolution, in order to be able to exercise the chosen sport. 3. Only registered players are eligible to participate in official sports competitions. 4. The player agrees to abide by the rules of this resolution and the regulations of the sports union in the state and the international rules in force in this regard. 5. The player has the right to register for the activity in one sport, whether individual or group at the

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Cabinet Resolution of 2018 on the Participation of Non-National Players in Official Sports Competitions 6 same time. 6. The sports bodies registered or licensed by the Authority shall exclusively register the categories referred to in Article (4) of this Resolution and in accordance with the terms and conditions referred to in the provisions of this Resolution.

Article (17) Obligations of the Categories Covered by this Resolution The categories covered by the resolution are: 1. The rules and legal controls contained in the provisions of this resolution. 2. Provide loyalty and belonging to the state through sports practice. 3. Ethics and values of sport. 4. Rules and regulations prescribed by clubs and sports federations. 5. Rules and Regulations of National Anti-Doping Committee. 6. Rules and regulations for national and international sports federations. 7. Optimal representation of the state and respect for the values, customs and disciplines of the state. 8. Rules and provisions relating to the preservation of the reputation of the State. 9. Compliance with all rules and legal regulations related to transparency, integrity and disclosure in the process of submitting documents and papers.

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Article (21) 1. The sports bodies or the general assemblies may not change the legal controls, documents and papers required for the process of registration of players from the categories covered by the resolution, as well as all numbers to be registered by the sports bodies referred to in the tables attached to this resolution. 2. The Authority shall have the right to interpret and make the final decision in all that is not mentioned in this resolution, as well as in emergency matters and circumstances. 3. The Authority may interpret the provisions of this Resolution and amend the schedules attached

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Cabinet Resolution of 2018 on the Participation of Non-National Players in Official Sports Competitions 9 thereto based on the recommendations of the concerned sports authorities with the State. 4. All existing sports bodies shall apply the provisions of this resolution in connection with registration from the day following the date of publishing the resolution. 5. All existing sports bodies shall apply the provisions of this resolution in regard with the participation of players in official competitions in accordance with the rules governing the competitions of each sports body.

Article (24) Publication and Enforcement This Resolution shall be published in the Official Gazette and shall enter into force on the day following the date of its publication. Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum The Prime Minister Issued by us: Date: 06 / Ramadan / 1439 AH Corresponding to: 22 / May / 2018 AD

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Cabinet Resolution of 2018 on the Participation of Non-National Players in Official Sports Competitions 10 The Table Attached to the Cabinet Resolution No. (27) of 2018 on the Participation of Non-National Players in Official Sports Competitions Define numbers of players registration First: Collective Sports Federations UAE Football Association: UAE Female Nationals Category UAE Passport Holders Category State Born Category Resident in the State Category Age Groups male female male female male female male female Children (4-8) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Cubs (8-12) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Male/ Female young people (12-18) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Young Men/ Women (18-21) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended 3+ +3 +3 +3 Men / Women (from 21 years and above) Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended +3 +3 +3 +3

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Cabinet Resolution of 2018 on the Participation of Non-National Players in Official Sports Competitions 11 Collective Sports Federations (Basketball, volleyball, handball): UAE Female Nationals Category UAE Passport Holders Category State Born Category Resident in the State Category Age Groups male female male female male female male female Children (4-8) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Cubs (8-12) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Male / Female young people (12-18) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Young Men/ Women (18-21) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+ Men / Women (from 21 years and above) Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended 10+ 10+ 10+ 10+ Second: Individual Sports Federations Sports Federations for Individual Games: UAE female nationals Category UAE Passport holders category State born Category Resident in the State Age Groups male female male female male female male female Children (4-8) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ende Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Cubs (8-12) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ende Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended

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Cabinet Resolution of 2018 on the Participation of Non-National Players in Official Sports Competitions 12 Male / Female young people (12- 18) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ende Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Young Men / Women (18-21) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ende Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Men / Women (from 21 years and above) Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ende Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ende Third: UAE Disabled Sports Federation (People of Determination) UAE Female Nationals Category UAE Passport Holders Category State Born Category Resident in the State Category Age Groups male female male female male female male female Children (4-8) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Cubs (8-12) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Male/ Female young people (12- 18) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Young Men/ Women (18-21) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Men / Women (from 21 years and above) Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended

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Cabinet Resolution of 2018 on the Participation of Non-National Players in Official Sports Competitions 13 Fourth: Collective Sports Federations (rugby, hockey, ice hockey): UAE Female Nationals Category UAE Passport Holders Category State Born Category Resident in the State Category Age Groups male female male female male female male female Children (4-8) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Cubs (8-12) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Male/ Female young people (12- 18) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Young Men/ Women (18-21) years Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Men / Women (from 21 years and above) Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended Open- Ended

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