Since the Hong Kong Department of Justice (DoJ) formally launched Hong Kong’s first Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution (the “Pilot Scheme”) earlier this year, the initiative has attracted extensive attention and positive responses from both the legal and sports sectors. As the administering body of the Pilot Scheme, AALCO Hong Kong Regional Arbitration Centre (AALCO-HKRAC) has been actively advancing its implementation and, within a short period of time, has already successfully handled a number of sports-related dispute cases. To further expand service coverage and support the standardised development of Hong Kong’s sports sector, AALCO-HKRAC will continue outreach to Hong Kong’s sports associations. Recently, the Centre visited Squash Association of Hong Kong, China and The Karatedo Federation of Hong Kong, China, promoting the Pilot Scheme in depth and receiving strong recognition.
Overview of the Visits
On 25 March 2026, a delegation led by Mr Dennis Cai, Deputy Director of AALCO-HKRAC, visited Squash Association of Hong Kong, China. The Association currently has over 2,000 members, covering squash enthusiasts of different age groups and levels. It organises a wide range of leagues and promotional activities year-round and has broad influence in Hong Kong’s squash community, attracting substantial participation in competitions and events each year. During the visit, the delegation was warmly received by Mr. Jun Sat, Executive Director, Mr. Jovi Au, Coaching & Development Manager, and Mr. Arnold Tsui, Sports Promotion Manager of the Association. A roundtable discussion was held on squash event operations, potential disputes arising from member management, and the suitability of the Pilot Scheme for the Association’s needs.
On 16 April 2026, Mr Cai and his delegation visited The Karatedo Federation of Hong Kong, China. The Association has over 1,800 members, including professional athletes, amateur enthusiasts and youth participants, and is committed to the popularisation and professional development of karate, nurturing many outstanding karate talents in Hong Kong. The delegation was warmly received by Mr Leung Wai-man, Raymond, Chairman of the Association, together with members of the management team and key members. During the visit, Mr Cai delivered a 2.5-hour thematic briefing, introducing the core features of the Pilot Scheme and its positive impact on athlete development. He also shared recent cases in which sports disputes were successfully resolved through the Pilot Scheme, demonstrating its professionalism and practical feasibility through real examples. Chairman Raymond and many management and key members attended the session throughout, with an enthusiastic response. In the subsequent Q&A, Association members actively raised questions and sought clarifications on operational procedures, scope of services and fee arrangements, reflecting strong interest in the Pilot Scheme. President Leung also shared his experience of attending the Pilot Scheme’s launching ceremony, further expressing his understanding of and strong support for the initiative.
Key Features of the Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution
The Pilot Scheme adopts model of “mediation + arbitration” , under which mediation is the primary mechanism and arbitration serves as a supplementary option, providing an innovative and efficient solution for sports-related disputes.
The Pilot Scheme has a broad scope of application, covering in particular commercial and non-commercial matters, disputes that have already arisen as well as disputes that may arise in the future. It therefore provides comprehensive coverage of dispute scenarios in the sports sector and aligns closely with the practical needs of sports development. Importantly, the Pilot Scheme is not intended to replace an association’s internal disciplinary mechanisms. Rather, it serves as a complementary pathway that works in tandem with internal disciplinary committees to resolve disputes more efficiently.
The Pilot Scheme conducts mediation and arbitration via an online dispute resolution platform. The platform is technically supported by eBRAM International Online Dispute Resolution Centre and administered by AALCO-HKRAC. By leveraging advanced digital technology, it removes geographic constraints and provides convenient, efficient and secure online services—substantially improving efficiency and reducing costs, while addressing practical challenges where athletes are often geographically dispersed and unable to coordinate in person.
Working Together to Advance Sports Rule of Law
Both associations stated clearly that they agree to adopt, in future major commercial competitions, the dispute resolution clause under the Pilot Scheme administered by AALCO-HKRAC, and committed to continued internal promotion of the initiative to encourage members to understand and make use of the relevant sports dispute resolution services. Both sides shared the view that the Pilot Scheme was introduced to complement sports associations’ internal dispute resolution mechanisms, offering associations and their members an efficient and more cost-effective dispute resolution option.
This series of visits represents an important step for AALCO-HKRAC in deepening collaboration with local sports associations. Looking ahead, with the strong support of the DoJ, the Centre will continue outreach to more Hong Kong sports associations, relevant organisations and stakeholders to further promote the Pilot Scheme on Sports Dispute Resolution, while listening to the sector’s needs and continuously refining service details.
