Members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Justice have expressed dissatisfaction with the limited time allotted to review a bill proposing 72 amendments to the Sports Act. The bill, submitted by the government, aims to introduce significant changes to the country’s sports system but has faced scrutiny over the rushed timeline.

The bill was accepted by Parliament and forwarded to the committee on Wednesday, leaving the committee with just a few days to review and finalise it before the parliamentary session ends on 11 December. The urgency of the timeline was emphasised by MP Asma Rasheed, who chaired the committee meeting. She acknowledged the importance of the bill and called for additional effort to complete the review by 9 December, urging members to meet stakeholders and work intensively over the next few days.

Several committee members raised concerns during the meeting, which was live-streamed. MP Mohamed Ibrahim highlighted the necessity of consulting key stakeholders, including the Maldives Olympic Committee, Maldives Paralympic Committee, National Sports Council, and the Commissioner of Sports, before making decisions. He stressed that proper dialogue was essential for drafting amendments that adequately address the needs of the sports sector.

Supporting this view, committee vice-chair Mohamed Musthafa Ibrahim emphasised the need for thorough stakeholder engagement but insisted on completing the review within the stipulated timeline. He pointed out the challenges posed by the tight schedule, stating that despite the effort to consult stakeholders, the amendments might still lack proper implementation.

Chair Asma Rasheed acknowledged the difficulties posed by the rushed process, citing past instances where bills were expedited without thorough review, leading to unintended consequences. She criticised the practice of pushing substantial legislation through in short timeframes, stating that such haste could negatively impact youth and sportspersons in the country.

Independent member Abdul Rahman echoed these concerns, stating that reviewing a complex bill within five days was impractical. He warned that passing the bill in its current form could result in flawed legislation.

Despite the urgency, many members stressed the importance of ensuring that the amendments are thoughtfully crafted to address the needs of the nation’s youth and sports sector. The lack of time for proper deliberation has highlighted longstanding issues with sports law reform, which has been delayed for years, including unfulfilled promises by the previous government.