LAW OF GEORGIA ON SPORTS

LAW OF GEORGIA

ON SPORTS

The Law of Georgia on Sports shall define the general legal, social, economic and organisational bases for sports activities in the territory of Georgia.

Sport shall be considered a very significant national activity in Georgia and its development shall be facilitated.

Sport in Georgia shall be based on universal humanistic and cultural values, historical experience, and the centuries-old traditions of the Georgian nation.

Chapter One – General Provisions

Article 1 – Legislation of Georgia in the sports sector, its goals and objectives

1. The legislation of Georgia in the sports sector shall be based on the Constitution of Georgia, the constitutions of the Autonomous Republics of Abkhazia and Ajara, this Law, other legislative acts, and international treaties.

2. The legislation of Georgia in the sports sector shall serve to improve the nation’s health, strengthen the health of citizens, raise the spirits of patriotism and humanism, prepare for labour and homeland protection, prolong human life, and achieve high results in sport.

3. The objectives of the legislation of Georgia in the sports sector shall be as follows:

a) improving the nation’s health;

b) enabling the spiritually and physically harmonious development of individuals;

c) ensuring the exercise and protection of the constitutional rights of the citizens of Georgia to participate in the sports sector;

d) determining the competence of central state governing bodies in the sports sector;

e) creating legislative guarantees for the free functioning of state, public and other non-governmental sports organisations;

f) defining the rights, duties and responsibilities of natural and legal entities in the sports sector and regulating relations between them;

g) introducing achievements in science and technology into the sports sector;

h) prevention of the use of doping in the sports sector

Law of Georgia No 6913 of 15 July 2020 – website, 28.7.2020

Law of Georgia No 2769 of 5 April 2023 – website, 13.4.2023

Article 2 – Basic Principles of State Policy in the Sports Sector

The basic principles of state policy in the sports sector shall be:

a) ensuring universality and accessibility;

b) observing and enhancing sports traditions, the continuity between generations, and the development of sports;

c) the democratic nature of governance;

d) strengthening material and technical resources, and developing the sports industry;

e) respecting universal values.

Article 3 – State guarantees of the rights of Georgian citizens in the sports sector

1. The State shall ensure the right of citizens to train and work in sport by creating appropriate social and economic conditions.

2. The State shall provide appropriate assistance and benefits to pensioners, orphans, disadvantaged families and persons with disabilities engaged in the sports sector, in accordance with the terms provided for by the Law of Georgia on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

3. The State shall ensure the development of various sports in rural areas, create the necessary conditions for the involvement of the rural population in sports, and pay special attention to high mountain regions.

4. Citizens of Georgia (sportsmen, coaches, referees, or other sports workers) shall have the right to work in amateur and professional sports both in Georgia and abroad.

5. A citizen of a foreign country or a stateless person shall engage in sports activities in Georgia based on a contract or agreement in accordance with the procedure established by legislation.

6. Sports activities or achievements in sports may not be used for illegal purposes.

Law of Georgia No 4041 of 16 July 2015 – website, 28.7.2015

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 6844 of 14 July 2020 – website, 28.7.2020

Chapter Two – State Sports Management Bodies

Article 4 – State management of sports

1. The main directions and priorities of state policy in the sports sector shall be defined by the Parliament of Georgia.

2. The state governing body in the sports sector shall be the Ministry of Sports of Georgia (‘the Ministry’), the scope of authority of which in this sector shall be defined by this Law, other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia, and the statute of the Ministry.

3. State policy in the sports sector in the Autonomous Republics of Abkhazia and Ajara shall be implemented by the relevant government institutions of Abkhazia and Ajara.

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Law of Georgia No 3830 of 30 November 2023 – website, 15.12.2023

Law of Georgia No 112 of 12 December 2024 – website, 28.12.2024

Article 5 – The scope of authority of the Ministry in the sports sector

The scope of authority of the Ministry in the sports sector shall include:

a) elaborating and implementing the main directions of sports development;

b) elaborating state programmes for improving the nation's health and sports development;

c) identifying prioritized sports disciplines;

d) for the development of sports, facilitating the creation of material and technical resources for institutions within the governance of the Ministry;

e) facilitating the establishment of public and other non-governmental sports organisations;

f) coordinating personnel training, distribution and retraining in the sports sector, and organising the accreditation of sports workers and the definition of their professional level;

g) scientifically and methodologically supporting the sports sector, and organising the publication of scientific, educational and popular sports literature;

h) establishing state norms for financing sports;

i) providing incentives for sportsmen, sports specialists and other sports workers, and nominating them for state awards and prizes;

j) in cases of the non-observance of the basic principles of state policy in the sports sector and gross violations of Georgian legislation by the Georgian National Sports Federations, suspending the authority of the heads of these federations, together with any registration bodies, until the convening of an extraordinary meeting of a congress.

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Article 6 – Management of the sports sector in the Autonomous Republics of Abkhazia and Ajara

The sports sector in the Autonomous Republics of Abkhazia and Ajara shall be managed by the Constitution of Georgia, the Autonomous Constitutions of Abkhazia and Ajara, this Law, other legislative acts and international treaties.

Article 7 – (Deleted)

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 6913 of 15 July 2020 – website, 28.7.2020

Chapter Three – Public and Other Non-Governmental Sports Organisations

Article 8 – Public and other non-governmental sports organisations

1. Public and other non-governmental sports organisations are sports federations, associations, clubs and other unions aimed at developing sports.

2. The State shall promote the development of the activities of public and other non-governmental sports organisations and shall involve them in the management of the sports sector.

3. If necessary, the Ministry may, within the scope of its authority, delegate certain powers to public and other non-governmental sports organisations and supervise their implementation.

4. Public and other non-governmental sports organisations shall be guided in their activities by this Law and other normative acts in force in the sports sector.

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Article 9 – The Georgian National Olympic Committee (NOC)

1. The Georgian National Olympic Committee (the NOC) is an independent public organisation which coordinates the Olympic movement in Georgia. The NOC shall be a legal entity.

2. The NOC shall be guided by the legislation of Georgia, this law, the Olympic Charter, and its own Statute.

3. In the International Olympic Committee, and in events organised by it, including the Olympic Games, Georgia shall be represented solely by the NOC as a representative of the International Olympic Committee in Georgia.

4. The NOC shall have its own symbols and shall have the sole right to use these symbols.

5. The NOC shall cooperate with the Ministry and the National Sports Federations of Georgia on the basis of an agreement.

6. The NOC shall be involved in ensuring the preparation and performance of the national teams for the Olympic Games.

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Article 9¹ – Georgian Paralympic Committee

1. The Georgian Paralympic Committee is an independent non-governmental organisation which coordinates the Paralympic movement in Georgia. The Georgian Paralympic Committee shall be a legal entity.

2. The Georgian Paralympic Committee shall be guided by the legislation of Georgia, this Law and its own statute.

3. In the International Paralympic Committee, and in events organised by it, including the Paralympic Games, Georgia shall be represented solely by the Georgian Paralympic Committee as a representative of the International Paralympic Committee in Georgia.

4. The Georgian Paralympic Committee shall have its own symbols and shall have the sole right to use these symbols.

5. The Georgian Paralympic Committee shall cooperate with the Ministry and the Georgian National Sports Federations on the basis of an agreement.

6. The Georgian Paralympic Committee shall be involved in ensuring the preparation and performance of the national teams for the Paralympic Games.

Law of Georgia No 6844 of 14 July 2020 – website, 28.7.2020

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Article 10 – Georgian National Sports Federation

1. The Georgian National Sports Federation is a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity of private law established on the basis of the Civil Code of Georgia, which conducts its activities in accordance with this Law, other legislative and subordinate normative acts of Georgia, the statutes of the international sports federations and its own statute. The Georgian National Sports Federation shall be the only governing body in a respective sports discipline and shall be liable for its development.

2. The Georgian National Sports Federation shall represent a respective sports discipline both within and outside the country; it shall share the principles of the Olympic movement.

3. The status of the Georgian National Sports Federation shall be granted to an association the founding documents of which meet the requirements of the legislation of Georgia and the appropriate international federation.

4. (Deleted – 4.3.2016, No 4847).

5. The authority of the Georgian National Sports Federation shall apply to the entire territory of Georgia within the scope of its competence.

6. The Georgian National Sports Federation shall fulfil state orders and shall cooperate with the Ministry based on an agreement.

6¹. The highest body of the Georgian National Sports Federation is the Congress, of which at least three quarters of the members must be sports organisations.

6². A citizen of Georgia who has a higher education and a high reputation, and has no previous record of conviction, may be the President of the Georgian National Sports Federation.

7. The Georgian National Sports Federation shall staff the national team in the respective sport, and shall represent it in international organisations and sports competitions.

8. The Georgian National Sports Federation may engage in activities that are not prohibited by current legislation. The Federation, within its competence, shall promote the establishment and operation of sports societies, associations, clubs, schools and other organisations.

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 4847 of 4 March 2016 – website, 14.3.2016

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Article 11 – Sports Club

1. Sports clubs shall conduct their activities in accordance with this Law, current legislation and their own statutes.

2. A sports club shall be a legal entity.

3. The status of a sports club shall be granted to an organisation whose founding documents meet the requirements of the legislation of Georgia and the relevant National Sports Federation.

4. The management of a sports club shall have the priority right to nominate its members for transfer with the consent of the National Sports Federation.

Chapter four – Mass Sport

Article 12 – Sport in early and pre-school educational institutions and teaching facilities

1. Protecting and strengthening health, physical education and excellence, and establishing a healthy lifestyle, are some of the main tasks of early and pre-school educational institutions and teaching facilities.

2. Based on state educational programmes and physical training norms, an educational institution shall independently determine the forms, methods and duration of physical education classes (at least 4 hours per week), taking into account local conditions and interests of the students.

3. Training for physically unhealthy persons shall be conducted within the framework of rehabilitation.

4. Sport in educational institutions (regardless of type, and form of ownership) is included in the unified curriculum, which is approved by the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia in agreement with the Ministry.

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 5377 of 8 June 2016 – website, 24.6.2016.

Law of Georgia No 504 of 23 March 2017 – website, 27.3.2017

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Law of Georgia No 3830 of 30 November 2023 – website, 15.12.2023

Article 13 – Extracurricular recreation and sports facilities

1. Sports schools, clubs, divisions and other extracurricular institutions, which operate on state, cooperative, public and other bases, are responsible for attracting children and young people and involving them in recreational and sports activities.

2. The Ministry shall coordinate extracurricular recreational and sports activities.

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 6913 of 15 July 2020 – website, 28.7.2020

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Article 14 – Sport in places of employment

At enterprises, institutions, organisations and in other areas of employment, regardless of the form of ownership, the administration shall create appropriate conditions for its employees to exercise their rights in sports, which includes rehabilitation training, and sports and recreational activities, during the working process and after the working process.

Article 15 – Sport for people with disabilities

1. The training of persons with disabilities is an integral part of their rehabilitation, and social and labour adaptation.

2. The relevant bodies of sports, education, health and social protection and organisations of persons with disabilities shall organize sports trainings in the continuous system of the rehabilitation of persons with disabilities, the training of relevant staff, methodological provision and medical oversight.

3. Executive bodies, regional governing bodies, clubs and centres shall provide special equipment for persons with disabilities and facilitate their participation in sports competitions.

4. Sports and recreational activities for people with disabilities are funded, and the funds needed for the construction of their sports facilities are allocated, from the state budget and by the private sector.

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 6913 of 15 July 2020 – website, 28.7.2020

Article 16 – Sports training for military servicemen, and staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, State Security Service of Georgia, Special State Protection Service

1. Sports training programmes for military servicemen, and staff of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the State Security Service of Georgia, and the special staff of the Special State Protection Service, shall be determined by the relevant bodies in agreement with the Ministry.

2. Commanders of military units, and the heads of the subdivisions of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the State Security Service of Georgia, and the Special State Protection Service, shall create the necessary conditions for conducting trainings in military sports disciplines and ensure the participation of military servicemen, the personnel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia, the State Security Service of Georgia, and the Special State Protection Service.

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July, 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 3927 of 8 July 2015 – website, 15.7.2015

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Article 17 – Participation of health care organisations and institutions in the development of sports

Health care organisations and institutions:

a) use sports as a means of physical rehabilitation and disease prevention within their competence;

b) ensure medical oversight of the members of a sports division, and provide medical services to the Georgian national team and other teams based on an agreement;

c) organize and carry out the training and professional development of health specialists in issues relating to the main components of sports medicine and rehabilitation, which are used in the treatment and prevention of patients;

d) establish sports medicine and rehabilitation centres (dispensaries), diagnostic consulting centres and units, and equip them with the necessary medical equipment and inventory, in order to provide the population with appropriate services;

e) hold sports training and competitions in an ecologically safe and hygienic environment.

Article 18 – Sports and recreational activities for accused persons/convicts in penitentiary institutions

Penitentiary institutions, as a rule, shall ensure the control of the health condition of accused persons/convicts placed in such institutions, taking into account the relevant infrastructure, and carry out necessary sports and recreational activities, in accordance with the regulations of a penitentiary institution, and create conditions for conducting sports and recreational trainings with appropriate inventory and equipment.

Law of Georgia No 2720 of 9 March 2010 – LHG I, No 12, 24.3.2010, Art. 57

Law of Georgia No 3544 of 1 May 2015 – website, 18.5.2015

Law of Georgia No 958 of 1 June 2017 – website, 20.6.2017

Chapter Five – Elite Sports

Article 19 – Elite sports, training of highly qualified sportsmen

1. Elite sports shall be the sphere of activity that helps sportsmen maximize their abilities and achieve visible results. For this purpose, the State creates all the necessary conditions.

2. Specialized institutions shall be established for the training of highly qualified sportsmen, the structure and status of which shall be determined by the Ministry and the relevant Georgian National Sports Federation.

3. State orders for the training of highly qualified sportsmen shall be formed through agreements with relevant national sports federations or other sports organisations.

4. The sportsmen of the Georgian national team shall be trained for sports competitions with funds allocated from the state budget based on a request from the Ministry.

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 2 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Article 20 – Georgian national teams

1. Georgian national teams shall be trained and staffed by national sports federations.

2. A member of the Georgian national team may participate in any sports competition with the consent of the relevant national sports federation.

3. A citizen of Georgia has no right to participate in competitions as a member of a national team of a foreign country. A foreign citizen or a stateless person may not play on behalf of the Georgian national team.

4. With the consent of the international federation in the relevant sport, a foreign citizen with the status of a compatriot living abroad shall have the right to participate in a sports competition on behalf of Georgia, as a member of the national team.

Law of Georgia No 5306 of 24 November 2011 – website, 8.12.2011

Article 21 – Sportsman, professional sportsman and professional practice in sports

1. A sportsman is a person who pursues sport and enters competitions.

2. A sportsman for whom sport is a major source of income is a professional.

3. ‘Sportsman’ is a profession.

4. The professional activities of sportsmen, coaches, referees and other specialists (participation in training and competitions), which is their main source of income, shall be carried out in accordance with labour legislation.

5. Persons employed in sports usually work on the basis of an individual employment contract.

6. Signing a contract with a sportsman and establishing other forms of contract, and conditions for working in sports and participating in competitions on a professional basis, shall be determined by the legislation of Georgia, the charters of international sports organisations, regulations, and other regulatory documents.

7. An employment contract concluded by a professional sportsman must include health and life insurance conditions, in addition to the conditions for working in sports and participating in competitions.

8. Professional sports leagues (associations, clubs, etc.) and other professional sports organisations are formed and function in accordance with legislation.

Article 22 – Social protection of sportsmen and sports specialists

1. The State and relevant sports organisation shall ensure the social protection of sportsmen, sports specialists and other workers. Relevant legislation shall apply to them.

2. A professional sportsman is entitled to a pension according to preferential terms and in the amount established by the legislation for those working in difficult working conditions.

3. The legislation of Georgia on social protection shall apply to a sportsman who has been injured during a sports competition, training or other sporting event, or who has an occupational disease or has become a person with a disability.

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Chapter V¹ – Fight against Doping

Law of Georgia No 2769 of 5 April 2023 – website, 13.4.2023

Article 22¹ – Definition of terms

1. Terms used in this chapter shall have the following meaning:

a) Georgian Anti-Doping Agency – a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity registered in Georgia, which is recognised as a sports organisation by the World Anti-Doping Agency and the Ministry, which manages and administers anti-doping activities in the country and is in charge of carrying out these activities;

b) anti-doping rules of Georgia – a set of rules against doping developed by the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code, verified by the World Anti-Doping Agency and approved by the Ministry of Sports of Georgia, which is issued in the form of a legal act and is published in the Legislative Herald of Georgia;

c) World Anti-Doping Code – a set of rules approved by the World Anti-Doping Agency, which is an annex to the UNESCO's International Convention against Doping in Sport;

d) World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) – an international anti-doping organisation, which aims at promoting, coordinating and monitoring the fight against doping in sport on an international level;

e) sport integrity – a set of principles and values in the field of sport, which also means ensuring the protection of the field of sport from violations.

2. Terms related to the field of doping which are not defined in paragraph 1 of this article, shall be defined in accordance with the World Anti-Doping Code.

Law of Georgia No 2769 of 5 April 2023 – website, 13.4.2023

Law of Georgia No 3830 of 30 November 2023 – website, 15.12.2023

Law of Georgia No 112 of 12 December 2024 – website, 28.12.2024

Article 22² – Certification of persons employed in the field of doping

1. Certification of a person employed in the field of doping shall be carried out by an international or national anti-doping organisation authorised by international standard of testing and investigation developed by the World Anti-Doping Agency.

2. A person not holding the certificate provided for by paragraph 1 of this article shall not be authorised to carry out activities subordinated to certification determined by the same article.

Law of Georgia No 2769 of 5 April 2023 – website, 13.4.2023

Article 22³ – General grounds for the fight against doping

1. The doping prevention and fight against it in Georgia shall be carried out on the basis of the Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe, the UNESCO's International Convention against Doping in Sport, the World Anti-Doping Code and the international standards related to it, the anti-doping rules of Georgia, other international agreements and legislative and subordinate acts of Georgia.

2. The overall coordination of fight against doping in Georgia shall be carried out by the Interagency Commission on the Protection of Sport Integrity.

3. Natural and legal persons engaged in the doping control and other anti-doping activities, shall be obliged to avoid the conflict of interests with those of Georgian Anti-Doping Agency when exercising their authority and respect the autonomy and independence of action of Georgian Anti-Doping Agency.

Law of Georgia No 2769 of 5 April 2023 – website, 13.4.2023

Article 22⁴ – Georgian Anti-Doping Agency

1. Georgian Anti-Doping Agency is a non-entrepreneurial (non-commercial) legal entity which exercises powers determined by this Law, other legislative and subordinate normative acts, the World Anti-Doping Code and anti-doping rules of Georgia.

2. Georgian Anti-Doping Agency shall receive designated funding from the Ministry on the basis of a contract. It shall be also authorised to receive designated funding from international and Georgian sports organisations.

3. Georgian Anti-Doping Agency shall have the exclusive authority to carry out actions related to anti-doping activities throughout the territory of Georgia, except when these activities are carried out by the World Anti-Doping Agency, International Sports Federation or an organiser of a sports event in the case provided for by the World Anti-Doping Code or on the basis of the provisions of the Anti-Doping Convention of the Council of Europe.

4. The anti-doping rules of Georgia shall apply to all national sports federation, all sportsmen competing on behalf of Georgia, as well as natural and legal persons.

5. Georgian Anti-Doping Agency shall:

a) prepare and exercise a one-year programme for the development of anti-doping activities. This programme shall comply with the World Anti-Doping Code and international standards related to it;

b) exercise doping control;

c) in accordance with the anti-doping rules of Georgia and the World Anti-Doping Code, within its competence, prevent the violation of anti-doping rules of Georgia, identify the facts of violation of the anti-doping rules of Georgia and the participation of sportsmen, members of the assisting personnel of sportsmen or other persons in it, and ensure the appropriate response on the results of violation of these rules by applying to the relevant disciplinary/appellate body;

d) before the end of each calendar year, publish on its website the updated list of prohibited substances and methods;

e) for the purpose of awareness-raising in the field of doping, ensure constant upgrade of qualification of specialists engaged in carrying out doping control;

f) exercise all other measures determined by this Law, the World Anti-Doping Code and the anti-doping rules of Georgia for the purpose of fight against doping.

6. Disciplinary and appeal mechanisms for reviewing violations of anti-doping rules shall be determined by the anti-doping rules of Georgia and a statute of the relevant disciplinary/appellate body, which shall be verified by the World Anti-Doping Agency before its approval and its entry into force.

7. Georgian Anti-Doping Agency shall, at least once a year, and also in the case of request – additionally, submit to the Ministry a report on carrying out a one-year programme of the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency on the development of anti-doping activities.

Law of Georgia No 2769 of 5 April 2023 – website, 13.4.2023

Article 22⁵ – Obligations of sports organisations in the field of doping

1. In the field of doping, a sports organisation shall be obliged to:

a) ensure automatic recognition of the powers of the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency and the anti-doping rules of Georgia and the cooperation with the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency;

b) ensure the creation of the conditions necessary for carrying out doping control and the support of the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency for facilitating its implementation;

c) in cooperation with the Georgian Anti-Doping Agency, ensure the propaganda against doping, as well as the preparation and implementation of information and education programmes;

d) ensure carrying out relevant measures in accordance with the results of violations of the anti-doping rules of Georgia;

e) during the period that a sanction of a sportsman and/or other person is effective, terminate all his/her funding.

2. The Ministry shall be authorised to suspend or terminate financing of a sports organisation in case it fails to fulfil obligations provided for by paragraph 1 of this article.

Law of Georgia No 2769 of 5 April 2023 – website, 13.4.2023

Chapter Six – Financial, Material-Technical and Personnel Support of Sports, Stimulation of Sports

Article 23 – Sports funding

1. The State promotes and concerns itself with the development of sports and for this purpose provides budgetary funding.

2. The funds allocated for the development of sports shall be reflected in the state budget in a separate article.

3. Based on proposals from sports organisations, the Ministry allocates state funds in the sports sector.

4. The following are also used to finance sports:

a) contributions from state, private and public organisations, institutions and individuals;

b) profit from sports themselves, economic, commercial, advertising, and facilitation activities;

c) funds received from sponsors and other assistance.

5. Funds received from non-budgetary sources shall not have any impact on the amount of state budget allocations for sports.

6. The funds allocated from the state budget for the development of sports shall be distributed to the ministries and agencies by the Ministry of Finance of Georgia upon the nomination of the Ministry.

7. The State shall allocate targeted funds for the preparation of national teams and the participation of Georgian sports delegations in the Olympic Games, the World and European Championships, Cups, the World Student Games, and other international events, and to reward winners and prize-winners at these events.

8. Budgetary and non-budgetary contributions intended for sports may not be used inappropriately, and they should be used solely for the purposes of sports.

9. The State promotes the development of sports by expanding the material and technical bases of sports, with adequate funding, grants, and motivational and material incentives for sportsman and specialists in this sector.

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 6913 of 15 July 2020 – website, 28.7.2020

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Article 24 – Material and technical support of the sports sector

1. The material and technical resources of the sports sector consist of all types of sports and sports-recreational facilities, sports equipment, inventory, equipment and other property intended for sports and sports-recreational activities.

2. A sports base is a site, the purpose of which is to train sportsmen and make the population healthier or which meets the requirements for holding sports competitions.

3. Rules for allocating land plots on which sports bases are located shall be provided by relevant legislation.

4. It is not permitted to:

a) change the function of a sports base without the consent of the Ministry;

b) construct or reconstruct early and pre-school education and school institutions without considering sports facilities;

c) liquidate sports facilities or change their purpose before the commissioning of replacement or equivalent facilities.

5. The Ministry shall oversee the targeted use of state sports facilities.

6. The national teams of Georgia have the priority right to train on the state sports bases of Georgia.

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 5377 of 8 June 2016 – website, 24.6.2016

Law of Georgia No 504 of 23 March 2017 – website, 27.3.2017

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 6913 of 15 July 2020 – website, 28.7.2020

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Article 25 – Training of specialists in the sports sector and staffing

1. The State shall provide training, retraining and professional development for the sports sector.

2. Specialists in the sports sector shall be trained by educational institutions. The goal of these institutions must be the development of mass and elite sports, and the improvement of its health, prevention and treatment practices.

3. State bodies related to sports, education and health care shall determine the demand for sports specialists and specialists with sports and health profiles. Such specialists, including those working with people with disabilities, are responsible for training and retraining in duly accredited educational institutions.

4. Only citizens with special education and persons who have a diploma from an accredited institution shall be granted the right to engage in pedagogical, educational and health work in the sports sector.

5. A sportsman shall undergo mandatory accreditation to work as a specialist in the sports sector in accordance with the relevant rules established by the Ministry and the Georgian National Sports Federation.

6. The Ministry, together with the Ministry of Education, Science and Youth of Georgia and the Ministry of Internally Displaced Persons from the Occupied Territories, Labour, Health and Social Affairs of Georgia, shall, with the assistance of leading sports centres, higher educational institutions, and scientific research institutions, provide scientific support for state sports development programmes.

Law of Georgia No 63 of 9 December 1999 – LHG I, No 47(54), 9.12.1999, Art. 239

Law of Georgia No 487 of 13 July 2000 – LHG I, No 28, 24.7.2000, Art. 88

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Law of Georgia No 3830 of 30 November 2023 – website, 15.12.2023

Article 26 – Sports ranks, awards and symbols

1. Distinctive sports marks confirm the qualifications of sportsmen and referees. Medals and badges mark the achievements of sportsmen, coaches and other specialists in the sports sector.

2. The Ministry approves honorary titles in the sports sector and determines the list of winners and record holders of sports awards at international and national championships.

3. Sportsmen, coaches and other sports workers are nominated by the Ministry for state awards and prizes for their special contributions and higher sports achievements.

4. The rules for the use of sports symbols (emblems and official marks of public sports organisations, sports institutions and organisations, emblems and official marks of international and other sports competitions, etc.) shall be determined by law.

Law of Georgia No 310 of 1 July 2004 – LHG I, No 20, 16.7.2004, Art. 105

Law of Georgia No 4548 of 25 November 2015 – website, 8.12.2015

Law of Georgia No 1633 of 7 December 2017 – website, 14.12.2017

Law of Georgia No 3113 of 5 July 2018 – website, 11.7.2018

Law of Georgia No 343 of 16 March 2021 – website, 18.3.2021

Article 27 (Deleted) .

Law of Georgia No 2769 of 5 April 2023 – website, 13.4.2023

Article 28 – Liability for the violation of the Law of Georgia on Sports

Violation of the requirements of this Law shall result in liability under the legislation of Georgia.

President of Georgia                                   Eduard Shevardnadze

Tbilisi ,

20 September 1996

No 400–I ს