ACC calls for stronger governance and transparency after finding major corruption risks in sports management

The Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has warned that corruption risks remain high in the country’s sports sector due to the absence of proper financial records and weak accountability mechanisms. The Commission has recommended that all income and expenditure of sports associations be disclosed publicly and supported by a legally mandated financial reporting framework.

The recommendations were made in a study conducted by the ACC to identify corruption threats within the sports organising and management system. The study examines how sports associations receive funds from the state budget, how they manage their assets, and the extent to which their financial practices align with legal and institutional requirements.

According to the ACC, the review included an assessment of documents related to the financial systems of sports bodies and associations, along with information collected from relevant staff. The findings show that corruption risks are heightened due to weak financial accountability, lack of regulation of academies operated by club organisations, conflicts of interest, undue influence, and poor governance.

ކުޅިވަރު އިންތިޒާމުކޮށް ބެލެހެއްޓުމުގެ ނިޒާމުގައި ކޮރަޕްޝަނަށް ހުރި ހިރާސް ދެނެގަތުމުގެ ދިރާސާ ރިޕޯޓް އިފްތިތާޙުކުރުމުގެ ރަސްމިއްޔާތު. pic.twitter.com/15To92tVTb

— ACC-MALDIVES (@ACC_Maldives) August 18, 2026

The ACC has issued 18 recommendations to address these issues. Key proposals include conducting regular independent financial audits and publishing financial statements on the websites of managers and senior officials. The Commission also recommends that the Ministry of Sports carry out periodic inspections to assess the quality of academies, coaching standards and safety conditions.

The report further calls for strengthening the electoral systems of sports associations, appointing honest and competent individuals to leadership positions, and establishing a formal complaints mechanism. It also recommends auditing stadium receivables, adopting a two-pronged approach to scholarship awards and procurement, and completing a performance audit to identify challenges in implementing the Sports Act.