We need to review election rules for sports bodies, says H E Saadi 

(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) The Ministry of Sports Affairs has decided to review its rules and regulations governing clubs and various sports bodies, particularly those related to elections, following the crisis that arose when a court declared the results of the Oman Football Association (OFA) polls held in 2011 as invalid.The threat of a possible repeat during the forthcoming elections of various sports bodies took centrestage during the annual three-day get-together for chairmen of clubs and sports bodies, organised by the sports ministry, at the Millennium Resort in Musannah over the weekend.Speaking exclusively to Muscat Daily, H E Sheikh Saad bin Mohammed al Mardouf al Saadi, Minister of Sports Affairs, said, ''It was a lesson for us and we are glad that the issue (the OFA elections) is all over.But we need to ensure that there is no repeat of such situations. We have decided to go for a full review of the sports ministry's rules and regulations with regard to elections in clubs and associations.''Our legal experts have already begun studying various governing statutes of the respective international sports associations and of the IOC. We will try to blend them with our rules and statutes... for the smooth functioning of clubs and associations.''Most of Oman's sports bodies have scheduled their elections in November, and it is not yet clear whether the changes may be adopted in time.But the unanimous decision at the get-together to review the rules and regulations “ as specified in a communique released by the ministry on Friday “ is being viewed as a positive move.H E Saadi said, ''This meeting gave us an opportunity to interact with the clubs' representatives in an informal manner and gain a good insight to the problems being faced by them. We listened to their grievances; their suggestions are important for us to formulate an action policy for the good of sports.''The sports minister added that the ministry will also review the criteria for selecting the winner of the HM's Cup for Youth [for the best sports club].''Many clubs have raised objections about the qualification process and we have agreed to conduct a review and make it more transparent. The views of the clubs are crucial in the development of sports and I am happy that we had a good participation [at the get-together],'' said H E Saadi.H E Saadi said that clubs shouldn't focus only on sports activities and praised Nizwa, Bidiyah and Jalaan Bani Bu Ali clubs for their involvement in social activities.''I would like other clubs to take a cue and play an important role in the wilayats. The annual programmes under the ministry, such as the Summer of Sports and national youth competitions, have served our goals, but it is time to re-assess them and set new goals.''We believe that a comprehensive plan to promote sports from the club level will lead us in the right direction,'' he said.