Beyond the Arena: Lau Kok Keng

Beyond the Arena: The Sports Lawyer Who is Leading the Charge

From his book-lined office, sports lawyer Lau Kok Keng champions fair play and athletes' rights, playing a crucial role in shaping the legal landscape of Asian sports.

In the high-stakes world of professional sports, victories are won not just in the arena, but also in the courtroom, where sports lawyers like Lau Kok Keng work tirelessly to ensure fair play and protect athletes' rights amid complex legal landscapes. His dedication has propelled him to the forefront of sports law in Asia — a specialty that didn’t even exist when he began his career.

Turning passion into profession

Sports have always been more than a pastime for Kok Keng; they shaped his character and sparked a lifelong passion. As a child captivated by live radio commentaries of Malaysia Cup football matches, he never imagined he'd one day shape the sports he admired.

Kok Keng’s legal career evolved from litigation in 1990 to intellectual property and entertainment law. His breakthrough into sports law came with the 2002 World Cup, when he worked on legal matters for Singapore Pools. This opened doors to roles in sports governance­­ —­ at the Geylang International Football Club and the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC), where he’s been an executive committee member since 2019.

Lau Kok Keng (bottom right) attending the 2017 Southeast Asian Games as an SNOC committee member.

Also pictured: (top row from left) May and Colin Schooling (parents of Olympic champion Joseph Schooling) and their family friend Jimmy Teo; (bottom row from left) Low Teo Ping (former SNOC Vice President), Chris Chan (SNOC Secretary-General) and Edmund Lim (SNOC Assistant Secretary-General)

Today, as Partner and Head of the Intellectual Property, Sports, and Gaming practice at Rajah & Tann, Kok Keng's influence spans from advising on major sporting events to advocacy for athletes. “Sports law also deals with broader social issues like discrimination, equality, and human rights. Sports lawyers therefore play a significant role in advocating for fair treatment and inclusivity in sports,” he explains.   

Apart from working with Sport Singapore and SNOC on legal matters, Kok Keng helps agencies, clubs, and athletes with sponsorships, intellectual property, and licensing. The avid sports fan even applies sporting principles to management, inspired by the Dutch "Total Football" approach to create an adaptable, multi-skilled legal team.

Championing fair play

One of Kok Keng's most memorable experiences was successfully overturning an anti-doping decision that had stripped an athlete of a 2018 Asian Games medal — an unprecedented outcome at the time.

"It was gratifying to achieve such a result, given what was at stake," shares Kok Keng. “It took a team effort comprising the athlete, personal doctor, the National Sport Association, SNOC, Anti-Doping Singapore, and me each playing our respective parts.” Indeed, their teamwork redeemed the reputation of both the athlete and the nation.

For aspiring professionals, Kok Keng advises, "Have a passion for sports, get industry experience, and stay connected with many sports, not just your favourites.” Expanding his own expertise, he serves on the panels of various sports tribunals, including the International Table Tennis Federation Tribunal. His journey has come full circle, allowing him to shape the sports he once admired from afar.

Kok Keng's path is one of many in Singapore's vibrant sports industry, where passion can lead to impactful roles that support the entire sporting ecosystem.