Laws

We, Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, Emir of the State of Bahrain. Having reviewed the Constitution; Emiri Order No. (4) of 1975; Emiri Decree No. (2) of 1975 establishing a Supreme Council for Youth and Sports; And Law No. (1) of 1975 regarding the Determination of the Fiscal Year, Rules for General Budget Preparation and Control of its Implementation and the Closing Account; Upon the submission of the Prime Minister; And after the approval of the Council of Ministers; Hereby Decree the following Law: Article (1) A Supreme Council for Youth and Sports shall be established, affiliated with the Cabinet, hereinafter referred to as "the Council". The Council shall oversee a public institution named "the General Organisation for Youth and Sports", responsible for supervising the youth sector, its related affairs, youth centres, national clubs, and associated facilities and projects. The Council shall also have a committee called "the Bahrain Olympic Committee", which shall oversee the national sports federations. Article (2) The council aims to achieve integration in various aspects of youth and sports activities in order to develop socially, mentally, and physically capable citizens. In order to achieve this goal, the council is entrusted with the following competences: 1- Formulating the general policy for the ministries, authorities and institutions related to youth and sports matters, particularly those concerning the development of youth and sports affairs as well as setting the policy for Bahrain's relations with the international and global organizations concerned with youth and sports, participating in international conferences, and establishing the policy for creating the specialized facilities for youth and sports sectors and monitoring their implementation, all within the general policy of the State. 2- Empowering the youth to play their role in the public life and integrating their efforts into the comprehensive development programs. 3- Issuing licenses for the establishment of youth and sports bodies in coordination with concerned authorities. The council may delegate the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs or the General Sports Authority to issue these licenses. 4- Organizing awards, incentives and other forms of material and moral encouragement in the fields of youth and sports. 5- Developing the national plans to uplift the youth and addressing the challenges they face in all fields, along with focusing on the athletes and all their affairs, to achieve progress and achievements. 6- Approving the projects aimed at preparing and providing leaders in the youth and sports sectors. 7- Activating the principles of the National Action Charter and the Constitution related to the physical, mental and creative development of youth, and establishing the appropriate mechanisms for this in collaboration with the ministries, authorities and institutions in the Kingdom, in matters related to the youth and sports sector. 8- Monitoring the implementation of the general policy in the youth and sports sector, evaluating it, providing observations, proposals and directives regarding it to the competent authorities. 9- Proposing amendments to the legislations, expressing opinions on the draft laws, regulations, and decisions related to the youth and sports, and recommending the necessary draft laws and decisions to enhance the youth and sports sector. 10- Monitoring the application of the laws, international conventions, regulations and decisions related to the youth and sports sector, and tracking the implementation of the programs approved in the government plans and programs related to the youth and sports sector. 11- Participating in the government committees and councils formed by the government concerning the youth and sports issues. 12- Representing Bahraini youth in the international forums, conferences, meetings of Arab and international organizations concerned with the youth affairs, and working directly or through council-affiliated authorities to enter into cooperation conventions and joint programs. 13- Conducting studies and research related to the youth and sports sector, collecting information, data and studies related to them. 14- Holding conferences, seminars and discussion sessions to address topics related to the council's competencies. 15- Raising the public awareness about the role, rights and responsibilities of the youth and the importance of investing in them, utilizing the appropriate mechanisms, and supporting the sports sector for its constructive impact on society. 16- Issuing reports, bulletins, magazines and printed and electronic materials related to the council's objectives and competences. 17- Supervising, monitoring, issuing recommendations, directives, and decisions to the government entities serving the youth and sports sector, where it deems it beneficial for advancing this sector. 18- Reviewing the proposed budgets from the council-affiliated entities for implementing its decisions and projects, expressing opinions and approving them preparing them for adoption according to applicable regulations. 19- Considering all matters referred to by the Council of Ministers that fall within the council's jurisdiction Article (3) The council shall consist of a president, one or more deputies to the president, and at least eight members. The president of the council shall be appointed by a royal decree, and the appointment of the remaining members shall be done by a royal decree based on the president's nomination. Membership in the council is for a term of four years, renewable for similar periods. Article (4) The President of the Council shall do the following: Generally supervise the Council’s bodies and committees. Implement the decisions and recommendations of the Council. Represent the Council in its relations with other authorities. The Chairman of the Council may delegate others to perform some of their responsibilities. Article (5) The Council shall meet at least four times a year, and the Chairman of the Council or the majority of its members may call for a meeting if necessary. The meeting of the Council shall be valid with the attendance of the majority of its members, including the Chairman or one of the Vice-Chairmen, and decisions of the Council shall be issued by the majority of votes of the attending members. In the event of a tie, the side on which the Chairman of the meeting is shall prevail. Article (6) The Council shall have a budget to which the provisions that apply to the State’s budget and its closing account shall apply to the state budget and its closing account. Article (7) The Council shall be able to form committees from among its members and others, each of which shall specialize in one aspect of its activity. The Council shall monitor the work of these committees and coordinate between them. Article (8) The Council shall establish an internal regulation organizing the progress of work in it and its committees. By virtue of this regulation, a decision shall be issued by the President of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, and he shall also prepare internal regulations relating to financial and administrative affairs. Article (9) The Council shall submit an annual and detailed report on its activities, projects and what has been implemented thereof to the Council of Ministers no later than the first of May of each year. Article (10) The Ministry concerned with Youth and Sports Affair shall be responsible for proposing and implementing plans, projects, programs and services for children and youth and sports in accordance with the decisions and recommendations of the Council, in cooperation with the concerned agencies and authorities in these fields. It shall also contribute to providing and equipping youth and sports facilities, providing the necessary technicians for them and preparing and training youth and sports leaders. Article (11) State agencies shall provide the council with the data, statistics and studies related to its competencies and to cooperate with it in facilitating the council's performance of its duties and tasks. Article (12) The decisions of the council shall be effective and binding on all authorities in the Kingdom, including ministries, authorities, institutions and others, provided that these decisions shall fall within the general framework of the approved government program. The aforementioned authorities shall be responsible for taking the necessary measures to implement these decisions. Article (13) The General Organization shall have a functional body and the laws and provisions that apply to government employees shall apply to its employees, technicians, administrators and employees. Article (14) The Emiri Decree No. (14) of 1975 establishing a Supreme Council for Youth and Sports shall be repealed. Article (15) The Prime Minister and the Ministers -each within his jurisdiction- shall implement the provisions of this Law, and it shall come into force from the date of its publication in the Official Gazette. Emir of the State of Bahrain Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa Issued at Riffa Palace On: 29 Rajab 1403 A.H. Corresponding to: 12 May 1983