From the 2023 Proposal and the 2024 Policy Address to the 2026 Pilot Scheme: Expanding Sports Mediation and Arbitration Successes and Deepening Asian Connections

The AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (AALCO-HKRAC) welcomes the latest progress in establishing a sports-related dispute resolution mechanism in Hong Kong, and is pleased to see the Government, the sports sector and the legal profession working together to advance this initiative.

At yesterday's meeting of the Legislative Council Panel on Home Affairs, Culture and Sports, the Hon. Kenneth Fok, in his capacity as Chairman of the ANOC General Assembly Steering Committee and Vice-President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, noted that as early as 2023, the sports sector and the legal profession, together with Hong Kong Deputy to the National People’s Congress the Hon. Chan Hiu-fung, submitted a proposal to the NPC calling for the establishment of a mechanism in Hong Kong to handle sports-related disputes. The proposal subsequently received support and a positive response, as well as active backing from the HKSAR Government. The Chief Executive announced in the 2024 Policy Address the advancement of the relevant system and mechanism, followed by the launch of the Sports Dispute Resolution Pilot Scheme, translating the policy direction into implementable arrangements within a relatively short period.

AALCO-HKRAC considers sports disputes to be highly time-sensitive, commonly arising in areas such as eligibility, selection, discipline and contracts. Failure to resolve them within a reasonable timeframe often causes irreversible impact on athletes’ development and the operation of sports organisations. Establishing a dedicated, credible, efficient and affordable framework for resolving sports disputes will enhance the transparency, credibility and predictability of sports governance, and support the long-term development of the sports industry.

Looking ahead, building on accumulated successful cases, AALCO-HKRAC should adopt a medium-term plan to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with more local national sports associations, sports bodies and Asian sports federations. Through publicity, education, capacity building, professional training and cross-sector dialogue, the mechanism can be better understood and more readily adopted, gradually forming sustainable and replicable institutional outcomes. AALCO-HKRAC will continue to communicate with all sectors on this work and welcomes active participation from the sports community.