The Ministry of Sports has proposed a new regulation to organize the work of sports institutes in the Kingdom, requiring investors to obtain prior licenses to conduct activities in person or electronically, while approving strict controls to protect the rights of beneficiaries and ensure their safety.

The regulatory law set the license duration at one year, renewable, stipulating that applications must be submitted via the ministry's electronic platform along with commercial registrations and facility licenses.

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Article 6 emphasized that it is not permissible to continue operating the academy or institute after the license expires without renewal.

Implementation of safety requirements

The ministry imposed a clear commitment to implement structural and operational safety requirements, in addition to setting specific controls for providing services and training programs for women. The law clarified that these controls ensure privacy and safety, and provide appropriate facilities and administrative and training female staff. The new legislative system prohibited institutes from employing trainers or technicians not licensed by the ministry, or hiring individuals who do not meet the requirements, and also banned the sale or promotion of prohibited substances in sports fields, or allowing their use and circulation within facilities.

Rights of beneficiaries

Regarding the rights of beneficiaries, the ministry required regulating the contractual relationship through a written contract in Arabic, clearly stating enrollment fees, withdrawal and refund conditions. The institute is obligated to refund fees for the remaining period if the trainee suffers an injury due to a fault of the institute's staff, or if the facility is shut down for a period that prevents benefit. The law revealed that the licensee is required to establish a clear internal mechanism to receive beneficiary complaints and handle them within no more than two working days, and indicated that the ministry retains the right to take temporary protective measures including closing the facility or suspending activity if there is a risk threatening the safety of beneficiaries. The instructions clarified that any activity conducted within the facility is subject to the administration's supervision and direct responsibility, even if provided through a third party, and noted the minister's right to classify sports institutes into categories according to specific criteria for regulatory and operational purposes.