Law

Responsibility of Sports Federations for the Protection of Minor Athletes’ Rights:An Applied Study on Sports Clubs in Lebanon

Law
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Authors

Name: Ahmad Hussein Obeid | Country: Lebanese Republic
Department / Fine Specialization: Law/ private Law
Institution / University: Islamic University of Lebanon
📧 Ahmad.obeid21994@gmail.com 0009-0004-2436-1430

🎓 Scientific Supervisor

Name: Prof. Dr / Mohammad Abdo | Country: Lebanese Republic
Department / Fine Specialization: Law / private Law
Institution / University: Lebanese University
📧 mhamadabdo17@gmail.com

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the responsibility of sports federations in protecting the rights of minor athletes, with a practical application to sports clubs in Lebanon. It analyzed the legal and regulatory framework governing this responsibility and assessed its consistency with international child protection standards. The study adopted both the descriptive-analytical and comparative approaches through the examination of relevant national and international sports laws and regulations. Further, the findings revealed significant legislative and regulatory shortcomings in the protection of minor athletes, as well as weaknesses in monitoring and supervision mechanisms within some sports federations and clubs. The study also identified limited legal guarantees regarding contracts, healthcare, psychological support, and educational rights. Furthermore, the results emphasized that effective protection of minors requires an integrated framework encompassing physical, psychological, educational, and contractual dimensions, alongside enhanced supervisory roles for sports federations. Additionally, the study recommended the development of national sports legislation, the establishment of specialized child protection units within sports federations, the strengthening of oversight mechanisms in sports clubs, and the activation of complaint and grievance procedures. It also highlighted the importance of leveraging international best practices and standards in child athlete protection to ensure a safe and fair sporting environment that safeguards minors’ rights and promotes sustainable sports development.
Keywords: Sports Federations, Minor Athletes, Child Protection, Legal Responsibility, Sports Clubs, Lebanon
Research Language: Arabic
How to cite:
ElQarar Journal for Peer-Reviewed Scientific Research, Vol. 11, Issue 31, Year (3), pp. 143-159.
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⚖️ Conflict of Interest:

The author/authors declare no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this research.

💰 Funding:

This study did not receive any financial support or grant from any public, private, or non-profit entity.

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