Cap. 626 Art. 6Purpose, functions and powers of the Authority.   Cap. 593.

(1) It shall be the purpose of the Authority to achieve the principles and objectives outlined in Part II.

(2) It shall also be the duty of the Authority to exercise such regulatory functions in sports integrity as may from time to time be assigned to the Authority by any special law.

(3) The Authority shall, without prejudice to any other power or function conferred upon it by this Act or any other law, and in accordance with any laws which may be applicable to it, be responsible:

(a) to develop and implement policies and strategies for the furtherance of its objectives and functions, to initiate, encourage and facilitate research and development in relation to sport governance and sport integrity, in particular good governance in sport administration, anti-doping, prevention of corruption in sports competitions and the safeguarding of children;

(b) to develop and implement educational programmes in sport integrity or sport governance for all persons;

(c) when so directed by the Minister, to represent the Government internationally or regionally in matters related to sport governance and sport integrity as may be designated by the Minister;

(d) to collect and distribute information, and provide advice, on matters related to the activities of the Authority;

(e) to consult and co-operate with the Maltese Olympic Committee, national associations, national federations, clubs, athletes, athlete support persons and other officials on matters relating to the promotion and safeguarding of sport governance and sport integrity;

(f) to raise money and to administer and expend money appropriated by the House or otherwise received from other sources;

(g) to provide advice on matters related to sport governance and sport integrity to persons, bodies or associations involved in sport;

(h) to establish and act as the Maltese National Anti-Doping Organisation, and carry out its functions according to the objectives and obligations set out by the Council of Europe Anti-Doping Convention, the International Convention Against Doping in Sport of UNESCO, the World Anti-Doping Code and its international standards, and the Anti-Doping Regulations that may be made from time to time;

(i) to co-operate with national and international sporting organisations with the aim of fostering a sporting environment that is run according to good governance principles, is free from the unsanctioned use of performance enhancing drugs and doping methods, that respects the unpredictability of the sporting outcome of a competition and that safeguards children who are active in sport;

(j) to establish and act as the Sports Integrity Unit, and carry out its functions as stipulated by Part II of the

Prevention of Corruption in Sport Act;

(k) to issue, amend and revoke, a certificate of registration to sports bodies, entities and other bona fide persons who qualify for registration with the Authority under the provisions of this Act and keep a register of such registered bodies, entities or other persons;

(l) to draw up, develop and amend, from time to time, a Code of Ethics, including the setting of minimum standards, to be followed by local sports administrators, athletes, athlete support persons and officials, and sport organisations;

(m) to recognise criteria established by the relevant National Associations or Federations, and in the absence of such established criteria, to devise criteria for determining the status of athletes, coaches and other officials or administrators as amateur, professional or otherwise;

(n) to monitor and keep under review and evaluate all practices, operations and activities relating to sport governance and sport integrity;

(o) to regulate the activities, levels of service and standards of sport facilities, including sport schools, and any type of enterprise or undertaking providing training services or other sport services;

(p) to regulate the standards of maintenance, management, safety, levels of service and operation of sport facilities;

(q) to issue, amend and revoke licences to sports organisations or third-party operators in order to establish and operate sport facilities, including sport schools, and any type of enterprise or undertaking providing training services or other sport services;

(r) to inform any authority or entity that it deems appropriate of any sanctions or restrictions imposed by it or of any other matters which the Board considers necessary to protect the public interest, in respect of any person under the remit of this Act;

(s) to publish guidelines on the interpretation of this Act and the regulations made, and directives issued, thereunder;

(t) to do anything in furtherance of its objectives and to perform such other functions as may devolve upon it under any other law or as may from time to time be assigned to it by the Minister.

(4) In the exercise of its function in accordance with sub-article (3)(k) and (q), the Authority shall establish such criteria, terms and conditions for the provision of such assistance as it considers appropriate.

(5) It shall be the duty of the Authority to carry out its functions as established by or under this Act or any other law in an impartial, transparent and timely manner and to ensure compliance therewith. Without prejudice to the generality of the foregoing, it shall also be the duty of the Authority to ensure that, to the extent they are so bound, persons comply with this Act and with any other special law which the Authority is entitled to administer or enforce, and with any decisions issued by or under this Act or any such other special law.

(6) The Authority shall also have such other functions, responsibilities and powers as are set out by or under this Act or as may be assigned to it by or under any other law from time to time, including all such powers as are necessary for or incidental to the performance of its functions by or under this Act or any other law.

(7) The Authority shall, in the carrying out of its functions, seek to ensure that the measures taken are proportionate to the objectives of the Authority and the aims which such measures are intended to achieve.