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Author	Assoc Prof Nadhratul Wardah Salman
Organisation/Institution	University of Malaya, Faculty of Law
Country	MALAYSIA
Panel	International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution
Title	Strengthening Sports Arbitration Mechanisms: A Malaysia-China Analysis
Abstract	As the sports industry in Asia continues to grow, the need for effective, fair, and accessible dispute-resolution mechanisms has increased. This paper compares sports arbitration in Malaysia and China, two jurisdictions that are actively shaping their dispute resolution frameworks in response to the increasing professionalisation and commercialisation of sports, to meet international standards. It examines the statutory foundations, institutional designs, and procedural safeguards that underpin sports arbitration in both countries, with a particular focus on recent reforms and emerging challenges. Through a comparative analysis, the paper identifies key differences: Malaysia’s flexible, multi-forum approach leverages common law traditions but struggles with fragmentation, inconsistent internal mechanisms, and over-reliance on the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). In contrast, China’s top-down, compulsory arbitration system prioritises centralised uniformity but encounters challenges related to operational independence and global integration. The analysis argues that strengthening sports arbitration requires greater independence, improved transparency, stronger athlete-centric protections, and fostering regional cooperation. The findings suggest significant opportunities for reciprocal learning. China could incorporate Malaysia’s emphasis on procedural rigour and its carefully calibrated relationship with CAS, while Malaysia stands to benefit from China’s well-defined normative framework and its dedicated institutional commitment. Ultimately, effective sports arbitration involves striking a balance between international best practices and domestic socio-legal realities to safeguard athletes’ rights and maintain sporting integrity, thereby contributing to a more robust sports justice ecosystem in the region. Keywords: Sports Arbitration; Dispute Resolution; Malaysia and China.
Biography	Dr Nadhratul Wardah Salman is an Associate Professor at the Faculty of Law, Universiti Malaya, where she also serves as the Deputy Dean of Postgraduate Studies. She earned her Bachelor of Laws from the International Islamic University Malaysia and her Master of Laws from Universiti Malaya. She also holds a Master's degree in Sports Policy from Leeds Metropolitan University, UK, and a PhD in Sports Law from Manchester Metropolitan University, UK. Her Teaching portfolio covers core and specialised subjects, including the Law of Torts, Sports Law, Constitutional Law, and Sports Policy. Her research examines the evolving role of law in regulating social and institutional practices, with a particular focus on sport governance, access to justice, and the protection of individual rights within a constitutional and comparative framework. She is currently a council member of the National Dispute Resolution Chamber of the Football Association of Malaysia. She also collaborates with government agencies and other national governing bodies on issues relating to safe sport, athlete rights, and the development of governance mechanisms. She has published in various journals and presented her research at conferences across Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Through her academic leadership and scholarly contributions, Dr Salman continues to advance discourse at the intersection of law, policy, and social justice.