Payame Noor University Applied Research of Sport Management 2345-5551 14 4 2026 03 21 Mapping Iran Sports Diplomacy Based on Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) Mapping Iran Sports Diplomacy Based on Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) 1 24 12790 10.30473/arsm.2026.75360.3982 FA Mahya Karimi MS.c Graduated, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran. Maryam Mokhtari Dinani Associate Professor, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran. Abbas Nazarian Madavani Associate Professor, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Shahid Rajaei Teacher Training University, Tehran, Iran. Abbas Rezaei Pandari Department of Operations Research, Faculty of Management and Economiy, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran. 0000-0001-9534-3441 Journal Article 2025 08 03 Introduction Today, sports have become an important aspect of the political influence of governments. Sports are a tool for international affairs that countries can use to strengthen relationships around the world. As a key component of soft power, sports can be an effective tool in determining diplomatic relations. Many policymakers and experts believe that sports diplomacy is an easy, safe, and gentle tool for improving international relations (Min and Choi, 2019). As an element of public diplomacy, also called soft power, sports have a significant contribution to peacebuilding (Leite Junior & Rodrigues, 2020). The results of the study by Raeissadat et al. (2022) indicate that sports competitions can provide a context for convergence and cooperation. In a study, Garamvölgyi & Dóczi (2021) introduced the Hungarian sports diplomacy approach with a focus on the use of sports in public diplomacy. Emphasizing the investment of large amounts of public funds by the government to attract and organize international sports competitions, they stated that by institutionalizing sports in public diplomacy, Hungary has become a pioneering country in Central and Eastern Europe that can be an example for other governments and nations in the region. Dichter (2020) introduced the FIFA World Cup as a space for numerous diplomatic opportunities for men, players, youth or women and examined the link between the world's most popular sport and global diplomacy in national and transnational contexts. Søyland (2020) showed in a study that the country has been able to use its sport in the best way to gain global appeal and soft power, and Qatar's domestic policies have worked well in this regard despite criticism. Won and Chiu (2020) compared the functions of sports diplomacy in Taiwan and South Korea and showed that Taiwan's geopolitical situation has a negative impact on hosting international sports events compared to mainland China. Despite the effective role of sports diplomacy in increasing the identity, pride, and national cohesion of countries, presenting a favorable image of them in the international arena, and reducing political isolation, unfortunately, Iranian sports organizations have not taken an effective step in this regard and have not utilized the potential of sports to expand international interactions. This is despite the efforts made to impose economic and political sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran in recent years, the field of sports can be an effective way to present a true and favorable image of Iran in the international arena. Since in Iran, various organizations and executive bodies are active in the development of sports at the championship and professional levels, and the reflection of their activities can lead to presenting a favorable image of Iran's sports diplomacy at the national, regional and global levels, in order to develop sports diplomacy in Iran, each of the sports organizations and executive bodies must play a role and participate in the development of sports diplomacy. To achieve this, it is necessary to first determine the performance of each of these bodies and then, considering the status of each of them and their performance in the development of sports diplomacy, take steps to strengthen the dimensions of sports diplomacy in that specific body. Therefore, the question arises: what are the dimensions of sports diplomacy? And how is the performance of Iranian sports organizations in utilizing the capacities of sports diplomacy? Also, in order to develop the sports diplomacy efforts of Iranian sports organizations, in which of the dimensions does it need to be corrected or made fundamental changes? Therefore, the present work aims at mapping sport diplomacy in Iranian sport organizations. Mothodology The present study is descriptive-survey in nature and method, and field research in terms of data collection. The statistical population was composed of all professionals, experts, and authorities of major sport organizations of Iran, from whom the research sample was selected in a purposeful manner. The research instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire that was prepared using the library study method and was used after confirming content validity by CVI method. By conducting library studies, a list of 25 components of sports diplomacy in Iranian sports organizations was identified, which were organized into 5 main dimensions: "internal cohesion", "improvement and promotion", "international trust-building", "platform for dialogue", and "international imagery”. Using DNAP method, the network relationships of components determined and the effective weight of each component calculated from the complete correlation matrix based on the basic concept of ANP. Findings The description of the demographic characteristics of the experts participating in the study shows that in terms of gender, most of the experts were male (79.92%). In terms of education, most of them had a PhD (73.26%). In terms of age, most of them were between 41 and 50 years old (46.22%). Also, most of the experts had work experience between 21 and 30 years (59.94%). Results revealed five dimensions of sport diplomacy in the organizations including "internal cohesion","improvement and promotion", "international trust-building", "platform for dialogue", and "international imagery"; the first two of which were also categorized as causal (effective) dimensions, while the rest were of influential dimensions. The IPA analysis showed that "internal coherence" and "improvement and promotion" belong to the category of low-importance, high-performance dimensions requiring immediate attention. "International imagery" was also categorized as high-importance, high-performance dimension (requiring continuation). "International trust building" belongs to the high-importance, low-performance category (not requiring immediate attention); "platform for dialogue" also belongs to the low-importance, low-performance category. Discussion and Conclusion The study of the relationships and importance of the dimensions of sports diplomacy in Iranian sports organizations showed that the dimensions of "internal cohesion", "improvement and promotion" are in the category of cause dimensions (influencing) and the dimensions of "international trust-building", "platform for dialogue", and "international imagery” are in the category of effect dimensions (influencing). In addition, the dimension of "internal cohesion" was the most influential and the dimension of "international trust-building" was the most influential dimension in terms of relationship. In terms of importance, the dimension of "international imagery” was the most important and the dimension of "platform for dialogue" was the least important dimension of sports diplomacy in the country's sports organizations. In the dimension of internal cohesion (the most effective dimension of sports diplomacy), the components of “national solidarity”, “social vitality and happiness”, and “elimination of discrimination and deprivation” are in the category of influential components, and the component of “national solidarity” is the most influential component. In other words, if the national solidarity component is improved, other components of the internal cohesion dimension will be improved and, as a result, the scope for sports diplomacy in sports organizations will increase. In addition to the internal cohesion dimension, the improvement and promotion dimension also constituted another influential dimension on other dimensions of sports diplomacy. The improvement and promotion dimension consists of the components of “improving political and legal relations”, “improving social and cultural conditions”, “promoting peace and friendship”, and “promoting moral standards and concepts”, among which, the components of “improving social and cultural conditions” and “promoting moral standards” and concepts are included in the category of influential components. The results indicates that the component of “improving social and cultural conditions” is the most influential component in this dimension. In other words, if the component of “improving social and cultural conditions” is promoted, the other components of the improvement and promotion dimension are also promoted, and as a result, the field of sports diplomacy in sports organizations also increases. Other findings of the present study showed that the dimensions of “international trust-building”, “platform for dialogue” and “international imagery” are in the category of affected dimensions. In fact, it can be stated that these dimensions are the result of promoting the dimensions of “internal coherence” and “improvement and promotion”. In addition, the findings of the present study showed that the dimension of "international trust-building" is the most influential dimension of sports diplomacy and among its components, the component of lobbying and leveraging sports constitutes the most influential component. Finally, the findings of this section showed that in terms of importance, the dimension of "international imagery" constituted the most important dimension of sports diplomacy in the country's sports organizations. In fact, it can be said that the most important goal of sports diplomacy is "international imagery" or, in other words, improving the country's image; because by improving the state of international imagery, it is expected that the country's cultural and media communications and interactions will be improved, a favorable image of the country will be created on the international stage, and the attractiveness and soft power of sports symbols will also increase. Considering the findings of the present study, which shows that the dimension of "improvement and promotion" and its components are among the influential dimensions in the sports diplomacy of the country's sports organizations, it is suggested that, more than other components of this dimension, the issue of improving the country's social and cultural conditions should be placed at the top of the government's programs so that by promoting it, the ground for improving sports diplomacy and ultimately obtaining its numerous benefits for the country can be prepared. Based on the results, it is suggested that the country's top sports managers, in addition to paying attention to the dimensions and components identified in this study, provide conditions to improve and promote sports diplomacy in Iranian organizations by promoting social vitality and happiness, promoting national solidarity and national identity, improving political and legal relations, improving social and cultural conditions, and promoting peace and friendship. Introduction Today, sports have become an important aspect of the political influence of governments. Sports are a tool for international affairs that countries can use to strengthen relationships around the world. As a key component of soft power, sports can be an effective tool in determining diplomatic relations. Many policymakers and experts believe that sports diplomacy is an easy, safe, and gentle tool for improving international relations (Min and Choi, 2019). As an element of public diplomacy, also called soft power, sports have a significant contribution to peacebuilding (Leite Junior & Rodrigues, 2020). The results of the study by Raeissadat et al. (2022) indicate that sports competitions can provide a context for convergence and cooperation. In a study, Garamvölgyi & Dóczi (2021) introduced the Hungarian sports diplomacy approach with a focus on the use of sports in public diplomacy. Emphasizing the investment of large amounts of public funds by the government to attract and organize international sports competitions, they stated that by institutionalizing sports in public diplomacy, Hungary has become a pioneering country in Central and Eastern Europe that can be an example for other governments and nations in the region. Dichter (2020) introduced the FIFA World Cup as a space for numerous diplomatic opportunities for men, players, youth or women and examined the link between the world's most popular sport and global diplomacy in national and transnational contexts. Søyland (2020) showed in a study that the country has been able to use its sport in the best way to gain global appeal and soft power, and Qatar's domestic policies have worked well in this regard despite criticism. Won and Chiu (2020) compared the functions of sports diplomacy in Taiwan and South Korea and showed that Taiwan's geopolitical situation has a negative impact on hosting international sports events compared to mainland China. Despite the effective role of sports diplomacy in increasing the identity, pride, and national cohesion of countries, presenting a favorable image of them in the international arena, and reducing political isolation, unfortunately, Iranian sports organizations have not taken an effective step in this regard and have not utilized the potential of sports to expand international interactions. This is despite the efforts made to impose economic and political sanctions on the Islamic Republic of Iran in recent years, the field of sports can be an effective way to present a true and favorable image of Iran in the international arena. Since in Iran, various organizations and executive bodies are active in the development of sports at the championship and professional levels, and the reflection of their activities can lead to presenting a favorable image of Iran's sports diplomacy at the national, regional and global levels, in order to develop sports diplomacy in Iran, each of the sports organizations and executive bodies must play a role and participate in the development of sports diplomacy. To achieve this, it is necessary to first determine the performance of each of these bodies and then, considering the status of each of them and their performance in the development of sports diplomacy, take steps to strengthen the dimensions of sports diplomacy in that specific body. Therefore, the question arises: what are the dimensions of sports diplomacy? And how is the performance of Iranian sports organizations in utilizing the capacities of sports diplomacy? Also, in order to develop the sports diplomacy efforts of Iranian sports organizations, in which of the dimensions does it need to be corrected or made fundamental changes? Therefore, the present work aims at mapping sport diplomacy in Iranian sport organizations. Mothodology The present study is descriptive-survey in nature and method, and field research in terms of data collection. The statistical population was composed of all professionals, experts, and authorities of major sport organizations of Iran, from whom the research sample was selected in a purposeful manner. The research instrument was a researcher-made questionnaire that was prepared using the library study method and was used after confirming content validity by CVI method. By conducting library studies, a list of 25 components of sports diplomacy in Iranian sports organizations was identified, which were organized into 5 main dimensions: "internal cohesion", "improvement and promotion", "international trust-building", "platform for dialogue", and "international imagery”. Using DNAP method, the network relationships of components determined and the effective weight of each component calculated from the complete correlation matrix based on the basic concept of ANP. Findings The description of the demographic characteristics of the experts participating in the study shows that in terms of gender, most of the experts were male (79.92%). In terms of education, most of them had a PhD (73.26%). In terms of age, most of them were between 41 and 50 years old (46.22%). Also, most of the experts had work experience between 21 and 30 years (59.94%). Results revealed five dimensions of sport diplomacy in the organizations including "internal cohesion","improvement and promotion", "international trust-building", "platform for dialogue", and "international imagery"; the first two of which were also categorized as causal (effective) dimensions, while the rest were of influential dimensions. The IPA analysis showed that "internal coherence" and "improvement and promotion" belong to the category of low-importance, high-performance dimensions requiring immediate attention. "International imagery" was also categorized as high-importance, high-performance dimension (requiring continuation). "International trust building" belongs to the high-importance, low-performance category (not requiring immediate attention); "platform for dialogue" also belongs to the low-importance, low-performance category. Discussion and Conclusion The study of the relationships and importance of the dimensions of sports diplomacy in Iranian sports organizations showed that the dimensions of "internal cohesion", "improvement and promotion" are in the category of cause dimensions (influencing) and the dimensions of "international trust-building", "platform for dialogue", and "international imagery” are in the category of effect dimensions (influencing). In addition, the dimension of "internal cohesion" was the most influential and the dimension of "international trust-building" was the most influential dimension in terms of relationship. In terms of importance, the dimension of "international imagery” was the most important and the dimension of "platform for dialogue" was the least important dimension of sports diplomacy in the country's sports organizations. In the dimension of internal cohesion (the most effective dimension of sports diplomacy), the components of “national solidarity”, “social vitality and happiness”, and “elimination of discrimination and deprivation” are in the category of influential components, and the component of “national solidarity” is the most influential component. In other words, if the national solidarity component is improved, other components of the internal cohesion dimension will be improved and, as a result, the scope for sports diplomacy in sports organizations will increase. In addition to the internal cohesion dimension, the improvement and promotion dimension also constituted another influential dimension on other dimensions of sports diplomacy. The improvement and promotion dimension consists of the components of “improving political and legal relations”, “improving social and cultural conditions”, “promoting peace and friendship”, and “promoting moral standards and concepts”, among which, the components of “improving social and cultural conditions” and “promoting moral standards” and concepts are included in the category of influential components. The results indicates that the component of “improving social and cultural conditions” is the most influential component in this dimension. In other words, if the component of “improving social and cultural conditions” is promoted, the other components of the improvement and promotion dimension are also promoted, and as a result, the field of sports diplomacy in sports organizations also increases. Other findings of the present study showed that the dimensions of “international trust-building”, “platform for dialogue” and “international imagery” are in the category of affected dimensions. In fact, it can be stated that these dimensions are the result of promoting the dimensions of “internal coherence” and “improvement and promotion”. In addition, the findings of the present study showed that the dimension of "international trust-building" is the most influential dimension of sports diplomacy and among its components, the component of lobbying and leveraging sports constitutes the most influential component. Finally, the findings of this section showed that in terms of importance, the dimension of "international imagery" constituted the most important dimension of sports diplomacy in the country's sports organizations. In fact, it can be said that the most important goal of sports diplomacy is "international imagery" or, in other words, improving the country's image; because by improving the state of international imagery, it is expected that the country's cultural and media communications and interactions will be improved, a favorable image of the country will be created on the international stage, and the attractiveness and soft power of sports symbols will also increase. Considering the findings of the present study, which shows that the dimension of "improvement and promotion" and its components are among the influential dimensions in the sports diplomacy of the country's sports organizations, it is suggested that, more than other components of this dimension, the issue of improving the country's social and cultural conditions should be placed at the top of the government's programs so that by promoting it, the ground for improving sports diplomacy and ultimately obtaining its numerous benefits for the country can be prepared. Based on the results, it is suggested that the country's top sports managers, in addition to paying attention to the dimensions and components identified in this study, provide conditions to improve and promote sports diplomacy in Iranian organizations by promoting social vitality and happiness, promoting national solidarity and national identity, improving political and legal relations, improving social and cultural conditions, and promoting peace and friendship.

https://arsmb.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_12790_9f1e8dcb596ffd21028d13e97630c720.pdf

Payame Noor University Applied Research of Sport Management 2345-5551 14 4 2026 03 21 Developing Professional Sports Business in Iran: A Legal Framework Developing Professional Sports Business in Iran: A Legal Framework 25 46 12791 10.30473/arsm.2026.75966.4003 FA Sima Bahrami Hazaveh MSc, Department of Sports Management, Faculty of Sport Science, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran. Zhaleh Memari Associate Professor, Department of Sports Management, Faculty of Sport Science, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran. Ebrahhim Alidosti Ghahfarokhi Professor, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences and Health, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran. 0000-0002-8909-7122 Fatemeh Vaziri MSc, Department of Sports Management, Faculty of Sport Science, Alzahra University, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2025 09 27 Introduction The development of Sports business requires not only strategic economic management but also a particular emphasis on establishing and reinforcing robust legal infrastructures. While many foundational elements exist within the national business environment, certain aspects demand enhanced attention and systematic management to effectively foster growth and sustainability. This study aims to propose a qualitative model for the development of professional sports business in Iran from a legal perspective. It focuses on identifying the most influential legal dimensions, highlighting overlooked aspects, examining driving factors, and predicting the anticipated outcomes of adopting a legal-centric approach to sports business development. Methodology This study employs a qualitative research design rooted in Grounded Theory methodology, specifically utilizing Glaser's approach for data analysis. Data collection focused on obtaining rich, detailed insights from a carefully selected sample of experts and practitioners, ensuring relevance and depth. The participants comprised university faculty members specializing in marketing, law, and business, preferably with practical experience. Additionally, executives and marketing specialists from prominent football-related organizations-including the League Organization, the sport federation, and league clubs-were included. Sampling employed a purposive strategy combined with snowball sampling to identify participants with the requisite expertise and experience. Interviews were conducted in depth, lasting 60-90 minutes, and continued until the researchers determined that theoretical saturation and data adequacy were achieved. To ensure the rigor and trustworthiness of the study, the four fundamental criteria of Grounded Theory-fit, relevance, workability, and modifiability-were systematically applied. Findings The analysis of data revealed 33 distinct categories that collectively play a central role in the development of the professional sports business in Iran from a legal perspective. The core category, which encapsulates the research's primary focus, is identified as the “development of professional sports business in Iran with a legal approach.” This core category serves as the nexus of the proposed model, influenced by other categories while providing feedback to them, yet maintaining a predominantly one-way relationship with these influencing factors. The contextual conditions, representing the broad environmental and foundational elements that shape the sports business landscape. These include the scientific, cultural, and legal groundwork necessary to sustain growth, the close interaction between internal and external factors impacting the sports sector, and the societal recognition of the potential economic and social benefits of sports. These conditions are comprehensive and exert a dual linkage, affecting both the sports infrastructure and the associated legal frameworks, thereby influencing all other categories within the model. The causal conditions-root causes that directly drive the development of the core category-were identified as three key elements: (1) the legal regulation of contracts, which ensures clarity and enforceability of agreements among stakeholders; (2) compliance with international law, which facilitates integration with global sports systems and adherence to international standards; and (3) the establishment of a comprehensive system for sports and club management, which promotes professional governance and operational efficiency. Covariant factors-those associated with the causal conditions but not primary drivers-include compliance with domestic regulations, respect for intellectual property rights, adherence to antitrust laws, privatization efforts, and the consideration of public interest within sports activities. These factors contribute to shaping the environment in which the core development process occurs. Intervening or mediating factors represent conditions that influence the outcomes of the development process. These include challenges such as the lack of payments for broadcasting rights, the growing significance of media and endorsements, merit-based recruitment practices, the dominance of state control over sports, latent marketing opportunities, economic constraints, and various political, social, and cultural issues that may impede progress. Contingency or moderating factors serve as intermediaries affecting the relationship between causes and the core development process, as well as between the core process and its outcomes. These include the effectiveness of legal agencies, the establishment of standardized sports clubs, the presence of sponsors, adherence to ethical principles, the creation of unions representing sports stakeholders, the implementation of systemic communication models within the sports ecosystem, and the employment of scientifically qualified managers in legal, economic, and club management domains. Finally, the outcomes represent the culmination of the model and reflect the anticipated benefits and changes resulting from the legal development of professional sports business. Expert opinions suggest key results such as the consistent implementation and observance of legal frameworks, recognition of sports as a significant industry, strict adherence to the rule of law, tax exemptions designed to incentivize growth, and the positive impact of a healthy economy on the contribution of sports to the national gross domestic product (GDP). Discussion and Conclusion Policymakers are encouraged to adopt this legal-based model within national sports planning agendas. A thorough review and revision of existing sports legislation is crucial to identify and remove regulatory barriers that hinder business growth and investment. Managers and administrators in the sports industry should focus attention on the 33 core categories identified in this research, prioritizing initiatives that promote financial transparency, contractual clarity, and ethical governance. Furthermore, the government is urged to support ongoing privatization efforts to enhance industry efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness. Privatization, when coupled with strong legal oversight, can enable sports organizations to operate more dynamically and respond effectively to market demands. One of the urgent legislative initiatives recommended by this study is the formal regulation and enforcement of broadcasting rights payments. Ensuring that media rights holders receive appropriate compensation is vital to the financial sustainability of professional sports and can serve as a critical revenue stream for clubs and leagues. Additionally, the Ministry of Sports should establish a structured model for club and business development that incorporates legal, economic, and managerial best practices. This would provide a systematic pathway for clubs to professionalize their operations and engage more effectively with sponsors, fans, and international partners. Sports administrators are encouraged to implement both short-term and long-term strategies that align with the proposed legal framework to achieve practical outcomes. Short-term measures could include enhancing contract management and intellectual property protection, while long-term efforts may focus on fostering a culture of compliance and continuous legal reform. Finally, enforcement of national intellectual property and copyright laws, aligned with international standards, is crucial to protecting sports brands, media content, and merchandise. This legal protection will help nurture a thriving and legally sound sports business environment that attracts investment and supports sustainable growth. Introduction The development of Sports business requires not only strategic economic management but also a particular emphasis on establishing and reinforcing robust legal infrastructures. While many foundational elements exist within the national business environment, certain aspects demand enhanced attention and systematic management to effectively foster growth and sustainability. This study aims to propose a qualitative model for the development of professional sports business in Iran from a legal perspective. It focuses on identifying the most influential legal dimensions, highlighting overlooked aspects, examining driving factors, and predicting the anticipated outcomes of adopting a legal-centric approach to sports business development. Methodology This study employs a qualitative research design rooted in Grounded Theory methodology, specifically utilizing Glaser's approach for data analysis. Data collection focused on obtaining rich, detailed insights from a carefully selected sample of experts and practitioners, ensuring relevance and depth. The participants comprised university faculty members specializing in marketing, law, and business, preferably with practical experience. Additionally, executives and marketing specialists from prominent football-related organizations-including the League Organization, the sport federation, and league clubs-were included. Sampling employed a purposive strategy combined with snowball sampling to identify participants with the requisite expertise and experience. Interviews were conducted in depth, lasting 60-90 minutes, and continued until the researchers determined that theoretical saturation and data adequacy were achieved. To ensure the rigor and trustworthiness of the study, the four fundamental criteria of Grounded Theory-fit, relevance, workability, and modifiability-were systematically applied. Findings The analysis of data revealed 33 distinct categories that collectively play a central role in the development of the professional sports business in Iran from a legal perspective. The core category, which encapsulates the research's primary focus, is identified as the “development of professional sports business in Iran with a legal approach.” This core category serves as the nexus of the proposed model, influenced by other categories while providing feedback to them, yet maintaining a predominantly one-way relationship with these influencing factors. The contextual conditions, representing the broad environmental and foundational elements that shape the sports business landscape. These include the scientific, cultural, and legal groundwork necessary to sustain growth, the close interaction between internal and external factors impacting the sports sector, and the societal recognition of the potential economic and social benefits of sports. These conditions are comprehensive and exert a dual linkage, affecting both the sports infrastructure and the associated legal frameworks, thereby influencing all other categories within the model. The causal conditions-root causes that directly drive the development of the core category-were identified as three key elements: (1) the legal regulation of contracts, which ensures clarity and enforceability of agreements among stakeholders; (2) compliance with international law, which facilitates integration with global sports systems and adherence to international standards; and (3) the establishment of a comprehensive system for sports and club management, which promotes professional governance and operational efficiency. Covariant factors-those associated with the causal conditions but not primary drivers-include compliance with domestic regulations, respect for intellectual property rights, adherence to antitrust laws, privatization efforts, and the consideration of public interest within sports activities. These factors contribute to shaping the environment in which the core development process occurs. Intervening or mediating factors represent conditions that influence the outcomes of the development process. These include challenges such as the lack of payments for broadcasting rights, the growing significance of media and endorsements, merit-based recruitment practices, the dominance of state control over sports, latent marketing opportunities, economic constraints, and various political, social, and cultural issues that may impede progress. Contingency or moderating factors serve as intermediaries affecting the relationship between causes and the core development process, as well as between the core process and its outcomes. These include the effectiveness of legal agencies, the establishment of standardized sports clubs, the presence of sponsors, adherence to ethical principles, the creation of unions representing sports stakeholders, the implementation of systemic communication models within the sports ecosystem, and the employment of scientifically qualified managers in legal, economic, and club management domains. Finally, the outcomes represent the culmination of the model and reflect the anticipated benefits and changes resulting from the legal development of professional sports business. Expert opinions suggest key results such as the consistent implementation and observance of legal frameworks, recognition of sports as a significant industry, strict adherence to the rule of law, tax exemptions designed to incentivize growth, and the positive impact of a healthy economy on the contribution of sports to the national gross domestic product (GDP). Discussion and Conclusion Policymakers are encouraged to adopt this legal-based model within national sports planning agendas. A thorough review and revision of existing sports legislation is crucial to identify and remove regulatory barriers that hinder business growth and investment. Managers and administrators in the sports industry should focus attention on the 33 core categories identified in this research, prioritizing initiatives that promote financial transparency, contractual clarity, and ethical governance. Furthermore, the government is urged to support ongoing privatization efforts to enhance industry efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness. Privatization, when coupled with strong legal oversight, can enable sports organizations to operate more dynamically and respond effectively to market demands. One of the urgent legislative initiatives recommended by this study is the formal regulation and enforcement of broadcasting rights payments. Ensuring that media rights holders receive appropriate compensation is vital to the financial sustainability of professional sports and can serve as a critical revenue stream for clubs and leagues. Additionally, the Ministry of Sports should establish a structured model for club and business development that incorporates legal, economic, and managerial best practices. This would provide a systematic pathway for clubs to professionalize their operations and engage more effectively with sponsors, fans, and international partners. Sports administrators are encouraged to implement both short-term and long-term strategies that align with the proposed legal framework to achieve practical outcomes. Short-term measures could include enhancing contract management and intellectual property protection, while long-term efforts may focus on fostering a culture of compliance and continuous legal reform. Finally, enforcement of national intellectual property and copyright laws, aligned with international standards, is crucial to protecting sports brands, media content, and merchandise. This legal protection will help nurture a thriving and legally sound sports business environment that attracts investment and supports sustainable growth.

https://arsmb.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_12791_38d1dfef58e1fc000e8adba7c1702e06.pdf

Payame Noor University Applied Research of Sport Management 2345-5551 14 4 2026 03 21 Developing an Artificial Intelligence Damage Management Model in the Process of Implementing Sports Researches, and Providing Relevant Solutions Developing an Artificial Intelligence Damage Management Model in the Process of Implementing Sports Researches, and Providing Relevant Solutions 47 64 12789 10.30473/arsm.2026.75142.3976 FA Hamidreza Mirsafian Associate Professor, Department of Sport management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. Amir Hossein Labbaf Ph.D Candidate, Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sports Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran. Mostafa Afshari Associate Professor, Sport Management Research Center, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2025 07 13 Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming nearly every aspect of human activity, including industry, education, medicine, and, increasingly, academic research. In the realm of sports science, AI applications are expanding swiftly, ranging from athlete performance tracking, injury prediction, and tactical simulations to the automation of training regimes and strategic decision-making. These developments have revolutionized the way sports are analyzed, taught, and even experienced. One of the most groundbreaking and controversial implementations of AI is its integration into the academic research process. This includes tasks such as literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific writing, all of which were traditionally the domain of human researchers. AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Sider, and Gemini now offer unprecedented capabilities to accelerate the research workflow. They can summarize vast amounts of data, draft coherent texts, detect patterns in data, and even propose research questions or hypotheses. Their presence is reshaping the academic landscape by offering both support and potential disruption. However, despite their practical benefits, the adoption of AI in research, particularly within sports science, raises a wide array of concerns. These concerns range from the generation of technically incorrect or contextually shallow content to deeper ethical issues such as the erosion of human agency, data privacy violations, and algorithmic biases. AI systems, while impressive in computational ability, are still limited in their understanding of domain-specific contexts and nuanced interpretations. In sports research, which often involves the integration of physiological, psychological, tactical, and sociocultural dimensions, these limitations become even more pronounced. The challenge is compounded when AI is used for content generation in academic publishing, where the accuracy and integrity of scientific communication are paramount. There are growing fears that over-reliance on AI tools might weaken essential research skills, reduce critical thinking, and promote a culture of superficial engagement with scholarly material. Furthermore, the academic community faces the threat of standardization and homogenization in thought, where AI-generated content follows repetitive and formulaic patterns. The subtlety and originality that define rigorous academic work are at risk. There is also concern about the dilution of scholarly identity, as the line between human-authored and machine-generated content becomes increasingly blurred. Such developments can have far-reaching consequences, especially in fields like sports science that rely heavily on interdisciplinary insights and deep contextual understanding. The purpose of this study is not to advocate for the abandonment of AI tools but rather to provide a structured framework for their responsible and intelligent use. This research aims to design a comprehensive model that identifies and categorizes the risks associated with AI in sports research and proposes targeted strategies to mitigate these risks. By doing so, it contributes to the development of policies and practices that preserve the integrity of academic output while embracing the productive potential of AI. Given the accelerated integration of AI in academia, the sports research community must proactively establish standards that ensure scientific quality, ethical rigor, and methodological transparency. This involves not only the technological fine-tuning of AI systems but also the education and empowerment of researchers. It is essential to cultivate a culture where AI is viewed as a complementary tool, not a substitute for human cognition. Such a paradigm shift requires comprehensive stakeholder engagement, including policymakers, educational institutions, journal editors, and technology developers. The current study addresses this critical need by drawing insights from both human experts and advanced AI systems. Through a methodologically rigorous approach involving qualitative interviews and thematic analysis, it formulates a robust model of AI risk management in sports research. This model seeks to bridge the gap between AI innovation and academic responsibility, thereby ensuring that the future of sports science remains both dynamic and credible. Mothodology This qualitative research employed thematic analysis to identify key themes and patterns regarding the risks and management strategies associated with AI in sports science research. The study involved deep interviews with two types of participants: 12 human experts in AI and sports research and four major AI chatbots (ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Sider, and Gemini). Participants were selected based on their expertise in fields such as AI ethics, machine learning, sports informatics, and academic writing. The interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The data collected were coded and analyzed using MAXQDA software. Reliability was ensured through double-coding, expert validation, and structured feedback loops. Two primary research questions guided the interviews: first, to identify the specific risks of using AI in the academic research process within sports science; and second, to explore the most effective strategies for managing these risks. The responses were categorized into thematic codes, followed by the formulation of a structured conceptual model that connects identified risks with targeted mitigation strategies. Findings The findings revealed a set of critical issues and corresponding management strategies associated with AI use in sports research. The risks were categorized into six major sub-themes encompassing 46 unique codes. Firstly, in terms of content quality and accuracy, AI-generated texts often contained analytical errors, misleading information, repetitive content, and insufficient contextual understanding. Secondly, dependency on AI was shown to erode human research skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and academic writing. Thirdly, ethical and legal concerns arose due to AI’s potential to plagiarize, misuse data, breach privacy, and produce biased or untraceable content. The fourth risk area involved technical and infrastructural challenges, including software bugs, processing limitations, high costs, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Fifth, socio-cultural effects included reduced human interaction in research, the loss of traditional academic values, unequal access to technology, and declining trust in AI-generated outcomes. Lastly, a major concern was the threat AI poses to the credibility of scientific research through the proliferation of low-quality publications, reputational damage to authors, and ranking decline of institutions. In terms of management strategies, six sub-themes were identified with a total of 43 codes. These included improving AI algorithms to enhance transparency and reliability, implementing robust policy and legal frameworks to regulate ethical use, and investing in education to raise awareness and train researchers in responsible AI usage. Additionally, human oversight remained critical in validating AI-generated content and ensuring quality control. Infrastructure development was another pillar, emphasizing equitable access to technology and international collaboration. Finally, transparency and accountability were necessary to ensure responsible use, including open algorithmic disclosures and clearly defined roles for content responsibility. Discussion and Conclusion The exponential integration of AI into the sports research ecosystem presents both remarkable opportunities and significant vulnerabilities. On the positive side, AI enables efficiency, innovation, and access to vast data-driven insights. It allows researchers to accelerate data processing, identify patterns that may otherwise remain undetected, and simulate complex systems. This leads to increased productivity and, potentially, more impactful outcomes. However, these benefits come with considerable risks. Without adequate human oversight and ethical safeguards, AI can compromise research quality, dilute scholarly rigor, and introduce systemic biases. The findings emphasize that AI systems frequently struggle with contextual nuances specific to sports science, leading to overly generic or misleading outputs. Such limitations can result in superficial analysis, erroneous interpretations, and ultimately, flawed conclusions. The risk of skill degradation is particularly alarming. As researchers grow dependent on AI-generated outputs, their capacity for independent analysis, critical evaluation, and creative thinking may erode. This shift represents not only a methodological concern but also a cultural one. The academic tradition is built on inquiry, skepticism, and intellectual independence—all of which are threatened when machines dominate cognitive tasks. The study’s insights suggest a clear need for recalibrating the human-AI relationship in academia to avoid becoming passive consumers of algorithmic content. Ethical and legal challenges are also pressing. Issues such as data misuse, unintentional plagiarism, algorithmic opacity, and unregulated data scraping are becoming increasingly prevalent. These challenges underscore the urgency of developing institutional and national governance frameworks that can both empower and restrain AI usage. Legal structures must evolve to address the new realities introduced by intelligent systems, particularly in how intellectual property, data rights, and accountability are defined and enforced. Technical and infrastructural obstacles further complicate the picture. Many institutions, especially in developing regions, lack the computational resources, cybersecurity infrastructure, and technical expertise to effectively implement and monitor AI tools. This creates disparities in research capacity and contributes to a growing digital divide. Such inequalities can marginalize institutions and researchers, limiting the global inclusiveness of sports science and hindering international collaboration. Social implications are equally significant. The shift in the role of the researcher-from knowledge creator to system operator-can impact professional identity, academic motivation, and the broader culture of inquiry. Trust in research findings may decline if stakeholders suspect that outputs are generated by unvetted or untraceable algorithms. This erosion of trust not only affects individual researchers but also undermines the credibility of institutions, journals, and the broader scientific community. In response to these multifaceted challenges, the study proposes a conceptual model that incorporates both preventive and corrective measures. These include legal and ethical frameworks, technological enhancements, capacity-building initiatives, and infrastructural support. A key recommendation is to embed transparency and accountability into the development and deployment of AI tools. Researchers must have access to clear documentation about how AI systems operate, what data they use, and how they make decisions. Furthermore, responsibility for AI-generated content must be explicitly defined to avoid ambiguity in authorship and liability. The model also highlights the importance of educational reform. AI literacy should become a core component of academic training in sports science. Researchers need to understand not only how to use AI tools but also when not to use them. This involves critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and domain-specific expertise. Training programs should emphasize the limitations of AI, the value of human insight, and the necessity of methodological rigor. Institutions are encouraged to adopt proactive policies that guide AI usage in research settings. These policies should align with global best practices but also reflect the unique ethical and cultural values of each region. Cross-border collaborations are especially important for sharing resources, harmonizing standards, and fostering innovation in a responsible manner. Journals and peer-review systems must also adapt. Reviewers need tools and training to identify AI-generated content and assess its quality. Editorial guidelines should be updated to reflect the realities of AI-enhanced writing and establish expectations regarding transparency, authorship, and originality. In summary, this study offers a forward-looking framework for integrating AI into sports science research in a manner that preserves its integrity and enhances its value. The proposed model serves as a roadmap for researchers, institutions, and policymakers seeking to harness the power of AI while safeguarding the foundational principles of academic inquiry. Responsible innovation, guided by ethical foresight and collective commitment, is essential to ensure that the adoption of AI leads to progress, not peril, in the world of sports research. Introduction Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming nearly every aspect of human activity, including industry, education, medicine, and, increasingly, academic research. In the realm of sports science, AI applications are expanding swiftly, ranging from athlete performance tracking, injury prediction, and tactical simulations to the automation of training regimes and strategic decision-making. These developments have revolutionized the way sports are analyzed, taught, and even experienced. One of the most groundbreaking and controversial implementations of AI is its integration into the academic research process. This includes tasks such as literature reviews, data analysis, and scientific writing, all of which were traditionally the domain of human researchers. AI-powered tools like ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Sider, and Gemini now offer unprecedented capabilities to accelerate the research workflow. They can summarize vast amounts of data, draft coherent texts, detect patterns in data, and even propose research questions or hypotheses. Their presence is reshaping the academic landscape by offering both support and potential disruption. However, despite their practical benefits, the adoption of AI in research, particularly within sports science, raises a wide array of concerns. These concerns range from the generation of technically incorrect or contextually shallow content to deeper ethical issues such as the erosion of human agency, data privacy violations, and algorithmic biases. AI systems, while impressive in computational ability, are still limited in their understanding of domain-specific contexts and nuanced interpretations. In sports research, which often involves the integration of physiological, psychological, tactical, and sociocultural dimensions, these limitations become even more pronounced. The challenge is compounded when AI is used for content generation in academic publishing, where the accuracy and integrity of scientific communication are paramount. There are growing fears that over-reliance on AI tools might weaken essential research skills, reduce critical thinking, and promote a culture of superficial engagement with scholarly material. Furthermore, the academic community faces the threat of standardization and homogenization in thought, where AI-generated content follows repetitive and formulaic patterns. The subtlety and originality that define rigorous academic work are at risk. There is also concern about the dilution of scholarly identity, as the line between human-authored and machine-generated content becomes increasingly blurred. Such developments can have far-reaching consequences, especially in fields like sports science that rely heavily on interdisciplinary insights and deep contextual understanding. The purpose of this study is not to advocate for the abandonment of AI tools but rather to provide a structured framework for their responsible and intelligent use. This research aims to design a comprehensive model that identifies and categorizes the risks associated with AI in sports research and proposes targeted strategies to mitigate these risks. By doing so, it contributes to the development of policies and practices that preserve the integrity of academic output while embracing the productive potential of AI. Given the accelerated integration of AI in academia, the sports research community must proactively establish standards that ensure scientific quality, ethical rigor, and methodological transparency. This involves not only the technological fine-tuning of AI systems but also the education and empowerment of researchers. It is essential to cultivate a culture where AI is viewed as a complementary tool, not a substitute for human cognition. Such a paradigm shift requires comprehensive stakeholder engagement, including policymakers, educational institutions, journal editors, and technology developers. The current study addresses this critical need by drawing insights from both human experts and advanced AI systems. Through a methodologically rigorous approach involving qualitative interviews and thematic analysis, it formulates a robust model of AI risk management in sports research. This model seeks to bridge the gap between AI innovation and academic responsibility, thereby ensuring that the future of sports science remains both dynamic and credible. Mothodology This qualitative research employed thematic analysis to identify key themes and patterns regarding the risks and management strategies associated with AI in sports science research. The study involved deep interviews with two types of participants: 12 human experts in AI and sports research and four major AI chatbots (ChatGPT, DeepSeek, Sider, and Gemini). Participants were selected based on their expertise in fields such as AI ethics, machine learning, sports informatics, and academic writing. The interviews continued until theoretical saturation was achieved. The data collected were coded and analyzed using MAXQDA software. Reliability was ensured through double-coding, expert validation, and structured feedback loops. Two primary research questions guided the interviews: first, to identify the specific risks of using AI in the academic research process within sports science; and second, to explore the most effective strategies for managing these risks. The responses were categorized into thematic codes, followed by the formulation of a structured conceptual model that connects identified risks with targeted mitigation strategies. Findings The findings revealed a set of critical issues and corresponding management strategies associated with AI use in sports research. The risks were categorized into six major sub-themes encompassing 46 unique codes. Firstly, in terms of content quality and accuracy, AI-generated texts often contained analytical errors, misleading information, repetitive content, and insufficient contextual understanding. Secondly, dependency on AI was shown to erode human research skills such as critical thinking, creativity, and academic writing. Thirdly, ethical and legal concerns arose due to AI’s potential to plagiarize, misuse data, breach privacy, and produce biased or untraceable content. The fourth risk area involved technical and infrastructural challenges, including software bugs, processing limitations, high costs, and cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Fifth, socio-cultural effects included reduced human interaction in research, the loss of traditional academic values, unequal access to technology, and declining trust in AI-generated outcomes. Lastly, a major concern was the threat AI poses to the credibility of scientific research through the proliferation of low-quality publications, reputational damage to authors, and ranking decline of institutions. In terms of management strategies, six sub-themes were identified with a total of 43 codes. These included improving AI algorithms to enhance transparency and reliability, implementing robust policy and legal frameworks to regulate ethical use, and investing in education to raise awareness and train researchers in responsible AI usage. Additionally, human oversight remained critical in validating AI-generated content and ensuring quality control. Infrastructure development was another pillar, emphasizing equitable access to technology and international collaboration. Finally, transparency and accountability were necessary to ensure responsible use, including open algorithmic disclosures and clearly defined roles for content responsibility. Discussion and Conclusion The exponential integration of AI into the sports research ecosystem presents both remarkable opportunities and significant vulnerabilities. On the positive side, AI enables efficiency, innovation, and access to vast data-driven insights. It allows researchers to accelerate data processing, identify patterns that may otherwise remain undetected, and simulate complex systems. This leads to increased productivity and, potentially, more impactful outcomes. However, these benefits come with considerable risks. Without adequate human oversight and ethical safeguards, AI can compromise research quality, dilute scholarly rigor, and introduce systemic biases. The findings emphasize that AI systems frequently struggle with contextual nuances specific to sports science, leading to overly generic or misleading outputs. Such limitations can result in superficial analysis, erroneous interpretations, and ultimately, flawed conclusions. The risk of skill degradation is particularly alarming. As researchers grow dependent on AI-generated outputs, their capacity for independent analysis, critical evaluation, and creative thinking may erode. This shift represents not only a methodological concern but also a cultural one. The academic tradition is built on inquiry, skepticism, and intellectual independence—all of which are threatened when machines dominate cognitive tasks. The study’s insights suggest a clear need for recalibrating the human-AI relationship in academia to avoid becoming passive consumers of algorithmic content. Ethical and legal challenges are also pressing. Issues such as data misuse, unintentional plagiarism, algorithmic opacity, and unregulated data scraping are becoming increasingly prevalent. These challenges underscore the urgency of developing institutional and national governance frameworks that can both empower and restrain AI usage. Legal structures must evolve to address the new realities introduced by intelligent systems, particularly in how intellectual property, data rights, and accountability are defined and enforced. Technical and infrastructural obstacles further complicate the picture. Many institutions, especially in developing regions, lack the computational resources, cybersecurity infrastructure, and technical expertise to effectively implement and monitor AI tools. This creates disparities in research capacity and contributes to a growing digital divide. Such inequalities can marginalize institutions and researchers, limiting the global inclusiveness of sports science and hindering international collaboration. Social implications are equally significant. The shift in the role of the researcher-from knowledge creator to system operator-can impact professional identity, academic motivation, and the broader culture of inquiry. Trust in research findings may decline if stakeholders suspect that outputs are generated by unvetted or untraceable algorithms. This erosion of trust not only affects individual researchers but also undermines the credibility of institutions, journals, and the broader scientific community. In response to these multifaceted challenges, the study proposes a conceptual model that incorporates both preventive and corrective measures. These include legal and ethical frameworks, technological enhancements, capacity-building initiatives, and infrastructural support. A key recommendation is to embed transparency and accountability into the development and deployment of AI tools. Researchers must have access to clear documentation about how AI systems operate, what data they use, and how they make decisions. Furthermore, responsibility for AI-generated content must be explicitly defined to avoid ambiguity in authorship and liability. The model also highlights the importance of educational reform. AI literacy should become a core component of academic training in sports science. Researchers need to understand not only how to use AI tools but also when not to use them. This involves critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and domain-specific expertise. Training programs should emphasize the limitations of AI, the value of human insight, and the necessity of methodological rigor. Institutions are encouraged to adopt proactive policies that guide AI usage in research settings. These policies should align with global best practices but also reflect the unique ethical and cultural values of each region. Cross-border collaborations are especially important for sharing resources, harmonizing standards, and fostering innovation in a responsible manner. Journals and peer-review systems must also adapt. Reviewers need tools and training to identify AI-generated content and assess its quality. Editorial guidelines should be updated to reflect the realities of AI-enhanced writing and establish expectations regarding transparency, authorship, and originality. In summary, this study offers a forward-looking framework for integrating AI into sports science research in a manner that preserves its integrity and enhances its value. The proposed model serves as a roadmap for researchers, institutions, and policymakers seeking to harness the power of AI while safeguarding the foundational principles of academic inquiry. Responsible innovation, guided by ethical foresight and collective commitment, is essential to ensure that the adoption of AI leads to progress, not peril, in the world of sports research.

https://arsmb.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_12789_732c6a881773b6c6fdb1763f9d4280ae.pdf

Payame Noor University Applied Research of Sport Management 2345-5551 14 4 2026 03 21 Privatization of Iran's Sports (Threats and Opportunities) Looking at the Future Privatization of Iran's Sports (Threats and Opportunities) Looking at the Future 65 78 12788 10.30473/arsm.2025.73001.3932 FA Abolfazl Farahani Professor, Department of Sports Management, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran. Mehri Safarnezhad Ph.D, Department of Sports Management, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran. Nasrin Pirayaneh Ph.D Student, Department of Information Technology Management, South Tehran Azad University, Tehran, Iran. Journal Article 2024 12 08 Introduction The achievement of positive economic outcomes, such as increased efficiency and productivity, reduction of budget deficits, job creation, and improvement in the quality of goods and services, as the most significant results of the public sector downsizing process in national economies, has led governments to pursue structural reforms and re-engineer their national economies with a new perspective. These governments seek to transition from a state-centric economy to one based on market mechanisms. By delegating tasks that the private sector is capable of performing, they aim to expand the operational scope of this sector, positioning themselves as supervisors, controllers, and guides. By creating a healthy environment and a suitable platform for the activities of existing enterprises in this sector, they facilitate the comprehensive development of their country. Privatization-the transfer of duties, activities, and organizations from the public sector-is a political-economic action aimed at reducing the size of the state and enhancing the efficiency of economic enterprises. It is rare to find a country that does not have a privatization plan in place. In our country, following the revolution and a trend towards nationalizing affairs, many industries and factories were confiscated and nationalized, thereby further increasing the size of the state. However, post-war, the inefficiency of many state-owned economic enterprises, their continuous losses, and the financial burden they imposed on the budget compelled the government to adopt a privatization policy. The privatization program in Iran commenced with the First Comprehensive Economic, Social, and Cultural Development Plan (approved in 1386 SH [2007/2008 AD]) through the transfer of ownership of certain state-owned companies.The objectives of privatization differ based on the specific economic characteristics and standing of each country. All countries that have engaged in privatization share the primary goal of improving the overall economic situation and conditions. Alongside this main objective, other goals may also exist, which include: increasing productivity and national output, enabling the government to access private sector financial resources, encouraging competition, enhancing national welfare and the efficiency of economic activities, saving government expenditures, stimulating the capital market, expanding the culture of participation in the country, absorbing liquidity, and establishing a balanced system for income distribution among various segments of the population. The complex and diverse relations in the areas of management, trade, economics, attracting foreign investment and new technology, the possibility of integration with the international economy, and so on, are predicated upon strengthening the “Supervising State” and reducing the role of the “Executing State.” The research results showed that there are significant differences in most of the variables analyzed (regional level, number of users, tuition revenue, extraordinary revenue, total revenue, monthly revenue per customer, and average monthly tuition) between public and private sports facilities and between their business models. Finally, they suggested, this study provides relevant information for those working in the field of sports venue management, allowing them to perform benchmarks and understand that their improvements in sports venue management are dependent on their ownership and their business model. Mothodology The statistical population comprised the heads and experts of sports facilities under the Ministry of Sports and Youth of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The implementation method for this research was a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative). In the qualitative section, an open-ended questionnaire and the Grounded Theory method were employed. The sampling process involved selecting sports complexes that host a greater diversity of sports disciplines compared to other facilities owned by the Ministry of Sports and Youth. Initially, the demographic characteristics of the statistical sample were described. Subsequently, the Friedman test was utilized to rank the identified opportunities and challenges. Furthermore, the validity and reliability of the extracted components were assessed using Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Findings Qualitative part of the research: The central factors include the challenges of privatization in Iranian sports, the opportunities of privatization in Iranian sports, and the various areas of privatization in Iranian sports. The first central factor, namely the challenges of privatization in Iranian sports, includes six categorical factors including legal and legal challenges, managerial and structural challenges, economic and financial challenges, cultural and social challenges, international challenges, and infrastructure and technological challenges The second central factor, namely privatization opportunities in Iranian sports, also includes six categorical factors: legal and legal opportunities, managerial and structural opportunities, economic and financial opportunities, cultural and social opportunities, international opportunities, and infrastructure and technological opportunities. The third pivotal factor, namely the various areas of privatization in Iranian sports, has six categorical factors: privatization of sports clubs, privatization of sports venues and facilities, privatization of sports events and competitions, privatization of education and research in sports, privatization of production and trade of sports goods, and privatization of media and information technology in sports Also, the most important open codes for each axis are as followsThe challenges include: the interference of regulatory and security institutions in the privatization process, the existence of monopolies and rents in some sports disciplines, the prohibition of subsidies and government assistance to professional sports, the high concentration of decision-making and the lack of sufficient delegation of authority, the strong dependence of professional sports and championships on government funding, the dominance of Championing and medaling in the country's sports, international sanctions against Iranian sports, and the lack of standard and multi-purpose sports spaces and venuesIn the context of opportunities: tax and customs exemptions for investment in sports, anticipation of arbitration mechanisms and dispute resolution in contracts, increasing motivation and productivity of human resources by improving the payment system, creating new job opportunities and reducing unemployment, introducing successful sports figures as role models Social, increasing public demand for improving the quality of sports services, building modern and multi-purpose sports complexes with the participation of the private sector In terms of areas: Transferring ownership of Esteghlal and Persepolis clubs, reforming the legal and ownership structure of clubs within the framework of Article 44, participating with the private sector in the construction and completion of unfinished projects, privatization of national teams in some selected disciplines, outsourcing the management of high schools Sports to the private sector, supporting theses and research projects related to sports, granting tax and customs exemptions to exporters of sports goods, issuing licenses for private sports television networks, and utilizing the capacity of knowledge-based companies in making sports smarter. Discussion and Conclusion This study was conducted with the aim of identifying and prioritizing the challenges and opportunities of privatization in Iranian sports. Privatization in sports is presented as a crucial strategy for sustainable development and enhancing the quality of sports services. However, the privatization process in Iranian sports faces numerous obstacles and challenges, while simultaneously presenting valuable opportunities. Therefore, an accurate understanding of these challenges and opportunities, along with determining the main priorities, plays a significant role in effective policymaking and planning for successful privatization in the country’s sports sector.The findings of this research revealed a wide spectrum of challenges and opportunities confronting privatization in Iranian sports. In the dimension of challenges, issues such as legal and juridical deficiencies, managerial and structural weaknesses, economic and financial constraints, cultural and social barriers, international challenges, and infrastructural and technological shortcomings were identified. Conversely, in the dimension of opportunities, elements such as legal and juridical capacities, managerial and structural capabilities, economic and financial advantages, cultural and social prospects, international openings, and infrastructural and technological potentials were enumerated.The results obtained from prioritizing the challenges indicated that Legal and Juridical Challenges, Managerial and Structural Challenges, and Economic and Financial Challenges ranked first through third in terms of importance, respectively. This finding suggests that legal gaps and shortcomings, inappropriate management structures, and financial and economic limitations are the most significant obstacles facing privatization in Iranian sports. Consequently, reforming laws and regulations, revising management structures, and securing sustainable financial resources must be prioritized in the sports privatization programs.Furthermore, the results of prioritizing the opportunities showed that Infrastructural and Technological Opportunities, International Opportunities, and Cultural and Social Opportunities are the most significant prospects ahead of privatization in Iranian sports. This finding demonstrates that developing sports infrastructure with private sector participation, leveraging international capacities, and enhancing the culture of participation and teamwork in society can pave the way for successful privatization in the country’s sports. Therefore, sports policymakers and planners must activate these valuable opportunities by adopting appropriate approaches.Another significant finding of this research was the identification and prioritization of the various contexts/domains for privatization in Iranian sports. The results showed that the privatization of Sports Media and Information Technology, the privatization of Production and Trade of Sports Goods, and the privatization of Sports Clubs are the most important domains for privatization in the country’s sports, respectively. This indicates that the media, technology, production, trade, and club management sectors possess greater capacity and attractiveness for private sector involvement and should be prioritized in divestment and privatization plans. In conclusion, the results of this study offer valuable achievements for policymakers, managers, and researchers in the field of sports. Identifying and prioritizing the challenges and opportunities of privatization can provide a suitable basis for formulating effective strategies and operational plans toward achieving effective privatization in the country’s sports. Moreover, determining the prioritized domains for privatization enables the optimal channeling and allocation of resources. However, achieving this goal necessitates serious commitment and resolve from officials, active participation from the private sector and civil institutions, and continuous monitoring and evaluation of the privatization process in sports. Overall, the results of this research showed that despite the existence of many challenges, there are also significant opportunities for privatization in Iranian sports. Identifying and exploiting these opportunities requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach by all stakeholders and key players in the country's sports system. Introduction The achievement of positive economic outcomes, such as increased efficiency and productivity, reduction of budget deficits, job creation, and improvement in the quality of goods and services, as the most significant results of the public sector downsizing process in national economies, has led governments to pursue structural reforms and re-engineer their national economies with a new perspective. These governments seek to transition from a state-centric economy to one based on market mechanisms. By delegating tasks that the private sector is capable of performing, they aim to expand the operational scope of this sector, positioning themselves as supervisors, controllers, and guides. By creating a healthy environment and a suitable platform for the activities of existing enterprises in this sector, they facilitate the comprehensive development of their country. Privatization-the transfer of duties, activities, and organizations from the public sector-is a political-economic action aimed at reducing the size of the state and enhancing the efficiency of economic enterprises. It is rare to find a country that does not have a privatization plan in place. In our country, following the revolution and a trend towards nationalizing affairs, many industries and factories were confiscated and nationalized, thereby further increasing the size of the state. However, post-war, the inefficiency of many state-owned economic enterprises, their continuous losses, and the financial burden they imposed on the budget compelled the government to adopt a privatization policy. The privatization program in Iran commenced with the First Comprehensive Economic, Social, and Cultural Development Plan (approved in 1386 SH [2007/2008 AD]) through the transfer of ownership of certain state-owned companies.The objectives of privatization differ based on the specific economic characteristics and standing of each country. All countries that have engaged in privatization share the primary goal of improving the overall economic situation and conditions. Alongside this main objective, other goals may also exist, which include: increasing productivity and national output, enabling the government to access private sector financial resources, encouraging competition, enhancing national welfare and the efficiency of economic activities, saving government expenditures, stimulating the capital market, expanding the culture of participation in the country, absorbing liquidity, and establishing a balanced system for income distribution among various segments of the population. The complex and diverse relations in the areas of management, trade, economics, attracting foreign investment and new technology, the possibility of integration with the international economy, and so on, are predicated upon strengthening the “Supervising State” and reducing the role of the “Executing State.” The research results showed that there are significant differences in most of the variables analyzed (regional level, number of users, tuition revenue, extraordinary revenue, total revenue, monthly revenue per customer, and average monthly tuition) between public and private sports facilities and between their business models. Finally, they suggested, this study provides relevant information for those working in the field of sports venue management, allowing them to perform benchmarks and understand that their improvements in sports venue management are dependent on their ownership and their business model. Mothodology The statistical population comprised the heads and experts of sports facilities under the Ministry of Sports and Youth of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The implementation method for this research was a mixed-methods approach (qualitative and quantitative). In the qualitative section, an open-ended questionnaire and the Grounded Theory method were employed. The sampling process involved selecting sports complexes that host a greater diversity of sports disciplines compared to other facilities owned by the Ministry of Sports and Youth. Initially, the demographic characteristics of the statistical sample were described. Subsequently, the Friedman test was utilized to rank the identified opportunities and challenges. Furthermore, the validity and reliability of the extracted components were assessed using Factor Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM). Findings Qualitative part of the research: The central factors include the challenges of privatization in Iranian sports, the opportunities of privatization in Iranian sports, and the various areas of privatization in Iranian sports. The first central factor, namely the challenges of privatization in Iranian sports, includes six categorical factors including legal and legal challenges, managerial and structural challenges, economic and financial challenges, cultural and social challenges, international challenges, and infrastructure and technological challenges The second central factor, namely privatization opportunities in Iranian sports, also includes six categorical factors: legal and legal opportunities, managerial and structural opportunities, economic and financial opportunities, cultural and social opportunities, international opportunities, and infrastructure and technological opportunities. The third pivotal factor, namely the various areas of privatization in Iranian sports, has six categorical factors: privatization of sports clubs, privatization of sports venues and facilities, privatization of sports events and competitions, privatization of education and research in sports, privatization of production and trade of sports goods, and privatization of media and information technology in sports Also, the most important open codes for each axis are as followsThe challenges include: the interference of regulatory and security institutions in the privatization process, the existence of monopolies and rents in some sports disciplines, the prohibition of subsidies and government assistance to professional sports, the high concentration of decision-making and the lack of sufficient delegation of authority, the strong dependence of professional sports and championships on government funding, the dominance of Championing and medaling in the country's sports, international sanctions against Iranian sports, and the lack of standard and multi-purpose sports spaces and venuesIn the context of opportunities: tax and customs exemptions for investment in sports, anticipation of arbitration mechanisms and dispute resolution in contracts, increasing motivation and productivity of human resources by improving the payment system, creating new job opportunities and reducing unemployment, introducing successful sports figures as role models Social, increasing public demand for improving the quality of sports services, building modern and multi-purpose sports complexes with the participation of the private sector In terms of areas: Transferring ownership of Esteghlal and Persepolis clubs, reforming the legal and ownership structure of clubs within the framework of Article 44, participating with the private sector in the construction and completion of unfinished projects, privatization of national teams in some selected disciplines, outsourcing the management of high schools Sports to the private sector, supporting theses and research projects related to sports, granting tax and customs exemptions to exporters of sports goods, issuing licenses for private sports television networks, and utilizing the capacity of knowledge-based companies in making sports smarter. Discussion and Conclusion This study was conducted with the aim of identifying and prioritizing the challenges and opportunities of privatization in Iranian sports. Privatization in sports is presented as a crucial strategy for sustainable development and enhancing the quality of sports services. However, the privatization process in Iranian sports faces numerous obstacles and challenges, while simultaneously presenting valuable opportunities. Therefore, an accurate understanding of these challenges and opportunities, along with determining the main priorities, plays a significant role in effective policymaking and planning for successful privatization in the country’s sports sector.The findings of this research revealed a wide spectrum of challenges and opportunities confronting privatization in Iranian sports. In the dimension of challenges, issues such as legal and juridical deficiencies, managerial and structural weaknesses, economic and financial constraints, cultural and social barriers, international challenges, and infrastructural and technological shortcomings were identified. Conversely, in the dimension of opportunities, elements such as legal and juridical capacities, managerial and structural capabilities, economic and financial advantages, cultural and social prospects, international openings, and infrastructural and technological potentials were enumerated.The results obtained from prioritizing the challenges indicated that Legal and Juridical Challenges, Managerial and Structural Challenges, and Economic and Financial Challenges ranked first through third in terms of importance, respectively. This finding suggests that legal gaps and shortcomings, inappropriate management structures, and financial and economic limitations are the most significant obstacles facing privatization in Iranian sports. Consequently, reforming laws and regulations, revising management structures, and securing sustainable financial resources must be prioritized in the sports privatization programs.Furthermore, the results of prioritizing the opportunities showed that Infrastructural and Technological Opportunities, International Opportunities, and Cultural and Social Opportunities are the most significant prospects ahead of privatization in Iranian sports. This finding demonstrates that developing sports infrastructure with private sector participation, leveraging international capacities, and enhancing the culture of participation and teamwork in society can pave the way for successful privatization in the country’s sports. Therefore, sports policymakers and planners must activate these valuable opportunities by adopting appropriate approaches.Another significant finding of this research was the identification and prioritization of the various contexts/domains for privatization in Iranian sports. The results showed that the privatization of Sports Media and Information Technology, the privatization of Production and Trade of Sports Goods, and the privatization of Sports Clubs are the most important domains for privatization in the country’s sports, respectively. This indicates that the media, technology, production, trade, and club management sectors possess greater capacity and attractiveness for private sector involvement and should be prioritized in divestment and privatization plans. In conclusion, the results of this study offer valuable achievements for policymakers, managers, and researchers in the field of sports. Identifying and prioritizing the challenges and opportunities of privatization can provide a suitable basis for formulating effective strategies and operational plans toward achieving effective privatization in the country’s sports. Moreover, determining the prioritized domains for privatization enables the optimal channeling and allocation of resources. However, achieving this goal necessitates serious commitment and resolve from officials, active participation from the private sector and civil institutions, and continuous monitoring and evaluation of the privatization process in sports. Overall, the results of this research showed that despite the existence of many challenges, there are also significant opportunities for privatization in Iranian sports. Identifying and exploiting these opportunities requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach by all stakeholders and key players in the country's sports system.

https://arsmb.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_12788_ac1f419cc16baf1a4e13cc30b9b28671.pdf

Payame Noor University Applied Research of Sport Management 2345-5551 14 4 2026 03 21 Identifying The Consequences of Designing a Football Kindergarten Model With a Physical Literacy Approach Identifying The Consequences of Designing a Football Kindergarten Model With a Physical Literacy Approach 79 98 12795 10.30473/arsm.2025.73307.3940 FA Shabnam GholamGharaGheshlaghi Ph.D, Department of Sports management, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. Nasrin Azizian Kohan Professor, Department of Sports management, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. Mehrdad ,Moharramzadeh Professor, Department of Sports management, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. Abbas Naghizadeh-Baghi Associate Professor, Department of Sports management, Faculty of Education Sciences and Psychology, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran Journal Article 2025 01 04 Introduction Early childhood represents a critical period for establishing foundations that optimize health, development, and lifelong physical activity engagement. Children should consistently experience joy, learning, and progressive development through play and structured activities. Contemporary children's sports programs, particularly in football, have increasingly emphasized early specialization and technical skill development, often overlooking the fundamental needs of holistic child development. This approach contrasts sharply with developments in developed nations, which have undertaken substantial revisions to their youth sports structures, designing programs that address the essential developmental needs of childhood. The Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, implemented across numerous developed countries, underscores the importance of acquiring physical literacy during childhood. Physical literacy, as conceptualized by Margaret Whitehead, represents a unique individual capability encompassing motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding for valuing and taking responsibility for engagement in physical activities throughout life. This multidimensional construct extends beyond physical skill acquisition to incorporate affective and cognitive domains essential for sustained active living. Football, the world's most popular sport with four billion followers, offers a powerful way to promote physical literacy in young children. A "football kindergarten" is an innovative concept that goes beyond traditional training, creating vibrant spaces where football-interested children learn through play. These environments provide safe, stimulating settings where kids progress from individual to group activities, building social skills while preparing for formal education. Child-centered sports structures prioritize children's needs, interests, and participation in athletic activities. This approach is characterized by involving children in decision-making processes, ensuring inclusive participation, and creating safe, enjoyable environments. It emphasizes learning through play and encourages children to assume responsibility for their learning and sports participation. Such programs utilize sports like football to promote child development, focusing on cultivating love for the game, movement education, ball comfort, and foundational skill acquisition. Despite the importance of quality early sports experiences, many children lack proper instruction and remain at beginner levels. Traditional youth football often prioritizes winning, early specialization, and adult-focused methods, leading to poor motor skill development, reduced enjoyment, and dropout. Consequences include weak motor abilities, low fitness, poor habits, unfulfilled potential, and future player shortages. Given these challenges, designing a football kindergarten model with a physical literacy approach represents a potentially transformative intervention. Such a model would prioritize fundamental movement skill development, holistic child growth, and lifelong physical activity engagement rather than premature specialization. The present study aimed to identify the consequences of designing a football kindergarten model with a physical literacy approach, thereby providing empirical evidence to inform policy development, program design, and coaching practices in children's football. Mothodology This qualitative study employed an applied, exploratory purpose utilizing thematic analysis methodology. The research population comprised academic experts and specialists, prominent football managers and grassroots coaches, and child development specialists from Iran, the United States, and Canada. Non-probability purposive sampling was employed to select participants with relevant expertise. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved with 18 participants, comprising 16 males (89%) and 2 females (11%) . The interview protocol involved initial contact through invitations via virtual platforms, containing cooperation requests and general research questions. Participants received comprehensive information regarding the research process. Data collection occurred from May 19, 2024, to November 5, 2024. Interview durations ranged from 20 to 45 minutes, yielding 51 pages of transcribed material. Following interview completion, all recordings were transcribed verbatim, and initial coding was performed to extract primary concepts. Subsequent analysis involved thorough literature review and expert consultation to identify secondary components. MAXQDA20 software was utilized for data analysis. The thematic analysis process followed three stages: interview analysis and description, text interpretation through theme network mapping and analysis, and text synthesis through report compilation. Validity was enhanced through standardized interview protocols with open-ended questions administered consistently across participants, multiple source triangulation, and rigorous multiple examination. Reliability was established through inter-coder agreement using Fleiss' Kappa coefficient. Five interview transcripts were provided to two expert coders who independently coded the material. Subsequently, coded documents were merged using software integration capabilities, and inter-coder agreement was calculated. Results for each code's presence or absence across three coders were entered into SPSS26 with the STATE FLEISS KAPPA extension. The overall Fleiss Kappa coefficient of 0.80 indicated substantial inter-coder agreement. Findings Analysis of the 18 interviews yielded 44 open codes, organized into 13 sub-themes and 7 main themes. The main themes identified were: development of key skills, educational outcomes, long-term sports development outcomes, future-oriented progress, challenges, health-oriented activity, and economic benefits. The development of key skills encompassed three sub-themes: mental skills, psychological skills, and communication and social skills. Mental skills included better decision-making and decision-construction, enhanced mental toughness, problem-solving skill reinforcement, self-control, and learning assistance. Psychological skills comprised self-confidence reinforcement, creativity enhancement, self-esteem strengthening, performance stress reduction, positive self-concept support, emotional growth assistance, and child personality development support. Communication and social skills included reinforcement of communication and social skills, empathy and cooperation enhancement, extraversion skill capability, and team sports' impact on experiencing various necessary skills. Educational outcomes emerged as a main theme with the sub-theme of educational-developmental effects. This included life skills improvement, experience of victory and defeat with appropriate reactions, healthy nutrition, better lifestyle, approaches to handling problems and difficulties, and learning discipline and responsibility. Long-term sports development outcomes constituted another main theme, with the sub-theme of achieving goals aligned with the LTAD model. This encompassed encouragement for longer activity duration and persistence, fundamental skill reinforcement, motor skill development, training age considerations, and physical literacy. Future-oriented progress appeared as a main theme with the sub-theme of being predisposed for future success, specifically increasing future success levels. Challenges represented a main theme comprising two sub-themes: activity cessation if programs are improperly implemented and limitations for other sports disciplines. The former included childhood injury effects, consequences of incorrect childhood education, and psychological pressure for success. The latter involved reduced participation in other sports due to football's popularity. Health-oriented activity emerged as a main theme encompassing four sub-themes: healthier future, prevention and treatment, mental health, and physical and executive benefits. Healthier future included greater health levels through skill acquisition. Prevention and treatment comprised encouragement for physical activity given current unfavorable conditions. Mental health encompassed life expectancy, prevention of depression and isolation, and support for children's psychological needs. Physical and executive benefits included impact on physical development and physical strength enhancement. Economic benefits constituted the final main theme, with the sub-theme of economic optimization and increased economic turnover. This included job creation, expansion of the football market nationally, local economic strengthening, revenue generation, and reduced societal welfare costs. Discussion and Conclusion The findings illuminate the multifaceted consequences of implementing football kindergarten models grounded in physical literacy principles. The identification of seven main themes demonstrates that such an approach extends beyond traditional skill development, encompassing holistic child development with implications for individual well-being, educational outcomes, long-term athletic progression, future success predisposition, health promotion, and economic benefits, while acknowledging potential challenges requiring careful program design. The development of key skills represents a foundational outcome, integrating mental, psychological, and social domains. This finding aligns with research by Aldoghan and colleagues (2023), Thelwell and colleagues (2006), Mao and colleagues (2024), and Visek and colleagues (2013), confirming that physical literacy-oriented football programs cultivate comprehensive skill sets essential for both athletic and life success. Mental skills such as decision-making and self-control complement psychological attributes including confidence and emotional regulation, while social competencies facilitate effective interpersonal interactions. Educational outcomes identified in this study underscore the pedagogical value of football kindergartens. The educational-developmental effects resonate with findings from Lenzen and colleagues (2023), Licardo and colleagues (2023), and Merino and colleagues (2021). These outcomes demonstrate that football kindergartens serve as educational environments where children acquire essential life competencies alongside athletic skills. The alignment of football kindergarten outcomes with LTAD model objectives represents a significant finding, confirming that physical literacy-oriented programs can effectively support long-term athletic development pathways. Consistent with research by Affolter (2016), Balyi and colleagues (2013), and Ford and colleagues (2011), the emphasis on encouraging sustained participation, fundamental skill reinforcement, and appropriate training age positions children for optimal long-term athletic progression. Future-oriented progress reflects the forward-looking nature of physical literacy-oriented football kindergartens. By preparing children for future success, these programs contribute to building better future generations. This finding aligns with Humphrey (2012) and Matthews and colleagues (2024), suggesting that investment in quality early sports experiences yields dividends in children's subsequent achievement. The identification of challenges provides important caveats for program implementation. Potential activity cessation from improper program execution and limitations on other sports participation represent legitimate concerns requiring proactive management. These findings corroborate research by Radojević and colleagues (2011) and Merkel (2013), emphasizing the need for careful program design and qualified personnel. Health-oriented activity outcomes demonstrate significant public health implications. The integration of immediate and long-term health benefits across physical, mental, and preventive domains aligns with research by Ring-Dimitriou and colleagues (2019), Clemente and colleagues (2022), Faude and colleagues (2010), and Morgado and colleagues (2023). These findings suggest that football kindergartens can contribute to addressing pressing public health challenges. Economic benefits identified in this study, including job creation, market expansion, local economic strengthening, and reduced welfare costs, highlight broader societal value. Consistent with research by Bohdan and Olga (2024) and Memari (2021), these findings demonstrate that investment in quality children's sports infrastructure generates economic returns beyond the immediate sports sector. In conclusion, this study provides comprehensive evidence that designing football kindergarten models with physical literacy approaches yields substantial positive consequences for children interested in football. The integration of physical literacy principles within child-centered football programs supports holistic development encompassing key skills, educational outcomes, long-term athletic progression, future success predisposition, health promotion, and economic benefits, while acknowledging challenges requiring careful program design. These findings underscore the importance of moving beyond traditional early specialization approaches toward developmentally appropriate, physically literacy-oriented programs that prioritize children's overall well-being and lifelong physical activity engagement. For sports policymakers, administrators, coaches, and parents, these results emphasize the value of investing in quality early football experiences that nurture children's physical, psychological, and social development, thereby contributing to healthier, more capable future generations and stronger sports systems. Introduction Early childhood represents a critical period for establishing foundations that optimize health, development, and lifelong physical activity engagement. Children should consistently experience joy, learning, and progressive development through play and structured activities. Contemporary children's sports programs, particularly in football, have increasingly emphasized early specialization and technical skill development, often overlooking the fundamental needs of holistic child development. This approach contrasts sharply with developments in developed nations, which have undertaken substantial revisions to their youth sports structures, designing programs that address the essential developmental needs of childhood. The Long-Term Athlete Development (LTAD) model, implemented across numerous developed countries, underscores the importance of acquiring physical literacy during childhood. Physical literacy, as conceptualized by Margaret Whitehead, represents a unique individual capability encompassing motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge, and understanding for valuing and taking responsibility for engagement in physical activities throughout life. This multidimensional construct extends beyond physical skill acquisition to incorporate affective and cognitive domains essential for sustained active living. Football, the world's most popular sport with four billion followers, offers a powerful way to promote physical literacy in young children. A "football kindergarten" is an innovative concept that goes beyond traditional training, creating vibrant spaces where football-interested children learn through play. These environments provide safe, stimulating settings where kids progress from individual to group activities, building social skills while preparing for formal education. Child-centered sports structures prioritize children's needs, interests, and participation in athletic activities. This approach is characterized by involving children in decision-making processes, ensuring inclusive participation, and creating safe, enjoyable environments. It emphasizes learning through play and encourages children to assume responsibility for their learning and sports participation. Such programs utilize sports like football to promote child development, focusing on cultivating love for the game, movement education, ball comfort, and foundational skill acquisition. Despite the importance of quality early sports experiences, many children lack proper instruction and remain at beginner levels. Traditional youth football often prioritizes winning, early specialization, and adult-focused methods, leading to poor motor skill development, reduced enjoyment, and dropout. Consequences include weak motor abilities, low fitness, poor habits, unfulfilled potential, and future player shortages. Given these challenges, designing a football kindergarten model with a physical literacy approach represents a potentially transformative intervention. Such a model would prioritize fundamental movement skill development, holistic child growth, and lifelong physical activity engagement rather than premature specialization. The present study aimed to identify the consequences of designing a football kindergarten model with a physical literacy approach, thereby providing empirical evidence to inform policy development, program design, and coaching practices in children's football. Mothodology This qualitative study employed an applied, exploratory purpose utilizing thematic analysis methodology. The research population comprised academic experts and specialists, prominent football managers and grassroots coaches, and child development specialists from Iran, the United States, and Canada. Non-probability purposive sampling was employed to select participants with relevant expertise. Semi-structured interviews were conducted until theoretical saturation was achieved with 18 participants, comprising 16 males (89%) and 2 females (11%) . The interview protocol involved initial contact through invitations via virtual platforms, containing cooperation requests and general research questions. Participants received comprehensive information regarding the research process. Data collection occurred from May 19, 2024, to November 5, 2024. Interview durations ranged from 20 to 45 minutes, yielding 51 pages of transcribed material. Following interview completion, all recordings were transcribed verbatim, and initial coding was performed to extract primary concepts. Subsequent analysis involved thorough literature review and expert consultation to identify secondary components. MAXQDA20 software was utilized for data analysis. The thematic analysis process followed three stages: interview analysis and description, text interpretation through theme network mapping and analysis, and text synthesis through report compilation. Validity was enhanced through standardized interview protocols with open-ended questions administered consistently across participants, multiple source triangulation, and rigorous multiple examination. Reliability was established through inter-coder agreement using Fleiss' Kappa coefficient. Five interview transcripts were provided to two expert coders who independently coded the material. Subsequently, coded documents were merged using software integration capabilities, and inter-coder agreement was calculated. Results for each code's presence or absence across three coders were entered into SPSS26 with the STATE FLEISS KAPPA extension. The overall Fleiss Kappa coefficient of 0.80 indicated substantial inter-coder agreement. Findings Analysis of the 18 interviews yielded 44 open codes, organized into 13 sub-themes and 7 main themes. The main themes identified were: development of key skills, educational outcomes, long-term sports development outcomes, future-oriented progress, challenges, health-oriented activity, and economic benefits. The development of key skills encompassed three sub-themes: mental skills, psychological skills, and communication and social skills. Mental skills included better decision-making and decision-construction, enhanced mental toughness, problem-solving skill reinforcement, self-control, and learning assistance. Psychological skills comprised self-confidence reinforcement, creativity enhancement, self-esteem strengthening, performance stress reduction, positive self-concept support, emotional growth assistance, and child personality development support. Communication and social skills included reinforcement of communication and social skills, empathy and cooperation enhancement, extraversion skill capability, and team sports' impact on experiencing various necessary skills. Educational outcomes emerged as a main theme with the sub-theme of educational-developmental effects. This included life skills improvement, experience of victory and defeat with appropriate reactions, healthy nutrition, better lifestyle, approaches to handling problems and difficulties, and learning discipline and responsibility. Long-term sports development outcomes constituted another main theme, with the sub-theme of achieving goals aligned with the LTAD model. This encompassed encouragement for longer activity duration and persistence, fundamental skill reinforcement, motor skill development, training age considerations, and physical literacy. Future-oriented progress appeared as a main theme with the sub-theme of being predisposed for future success, specifically increasing future success levels. Challenges represented a main theme comprising two sub-themes: activity cessation if programs are improperly implemented and limitations for other sports disciplines. The former included childhood injury effects, consequences of incorrect childhood education, and psychological pressure for success. The latter involved reduced participation in other sports due to football's popularity. Health-oriented activity emerged as a main theme encompassing four sub-themes: healthier future, prevention and treatment, mental health, and physical and executive benefits. Healthier future included greater health levels through skill acquisition. Prevention and treatment comprised encouragement for physical activity given current unfavorable conditions. Mental health encompassed life expectancy, prevention of depression and isolation, and support for children's psychological needs. Physical and executive benefits included impact on physical development and physical strength enhancement. Economic benefits constituted the final main theme, with the sub-theme of economic optimization and increased economic turnover. This included job creation, expansion of the football market nationally, local economic strengthening, revenue generation, and reduced societal welfare costs. Discussion and Conclusion The findings illuminate the multifaceted consequences of implementing football kindergarten models grounded in physical literacy principles. The identification of seven main themes demonstrates that such an approach extends beyond traditional skill development, encompassing holistic child development with implications for individual well-being, educational outcomes, long-term athletic progression, future success predisposition, health promotion, and economic benefits, while acknowledging potential challenges requiring careful program design. The development of key skills represents a foundational outcome, integrating mental, psychological, and social domains. This finding aligns with research by Aldoghan and colleagues (2023), Thelwell and colleagues (2006), Mao and colleagues (2024), and Visek and colleagues (2013), confirming that physical literacy-oriented football programs cultivate comprehensive skill sets essential for both athletic and life success. Mental skills such as decision-making and self-control complement psychological attributes including confidence and emotional regulation, while social competencies facilitate effective interpersonal interactions. Educational outcomes identified in this study underscore the pedagogical value of football kindergartens. The educational-developmental effects resonate with findings from Lenzen and colleagues (2023), Licardo and colleagues (2023), and Merino and colleagues (2021). These outcomes demonstrate that football kindergartens serve as educational environments where children acquire essential life competencies alongside athletic skills. The alignment of football kindergarten outcomes with LTAD model objectives represents a significant finding, confirming that physical literacy-oriented programs can effectively support long-term athletic development pathways. Consistent with research by Affolter (2016), Balyi and colleagues (2013), and Ford and colleagues (2011), the emphasis on encouraging sustained participation, fundamental skill reinforcement, and appropriate training age positions children for optimal long-term athletic progression. Future-oriented progress reflects the forward-looking nature of physical literacy-oriented football kindergartens. By preparing children for future success, these programs contribute to building better future generations. This finding aligns with Humphrey (2012) and Matthews and colleagues (2024), suggesting that investment in quality early sports experiences yields dividends in children's subsequent achievement. The identification of challenges provides important caveats for program implementation. Potential activity cessation from improper program execution and limitations on other sports participation represent legitimate concerns requiring proactive management. These findings corroborate research by Radojević and colleagues (2011) and Merkel (2013), emphasizing the need for careful program design and qualified personnel. Health-oriented activity outcomes demonstrate significant public health implications. The integration of immediate and long-term health benefits across physical, mental, and preventive domains aligns with research by Ring-Dimitriou and colleagues (2019), Clemente and colleagues (2022), Faude and colleagues (2010), and Morgado and colleagues (2023). These findings suggest that football kindergartens can contribute to addressing pressing public health challenges. Economic benefits identified in this study, including job creation, market expansion, local economic strengthening, and reduced welfare costs, highlight broader societal value. Consistent with research by Bohdan and Olga (2024) and Memari (2021), these findings demonstrate that investment in quality children's sports infrastructure generates economic returns beyond the immediate sports sector. In conclusion, this study provides comprehensive evidence that designing football kindergarten models with physical literacy approaches yields substantial positive consequences for children interested in football. The integration of physical literacy principles within child-centered football programs supports holistic development encompassing key skills, educational outcomes, long-term athletic progression, future success predisposition, health promotion, and economic benefits, while acknowledging challenges requiring careful program design. These findings underscore the importance of moving beyond traditional early specialization approaches toward developmentally appropriate, physically literacy-oriented programs that prioritize children's overall well-being and lifelong physical activity engagement. For sports policymakers, administrators, coaches, and parents, these results emphasize the value of investing in quality early football experiences that nurture children's physical, psychological, and social development, thereby contributing to healthier, more capable future generations and stronger sports systems.

https://arsmb.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_12795_6c7ab73f61ab479d04cfbb31ed87189f.pdf

Payame Noor University Applied Research of Sport Management 2345-5551 14 4 2026 03 21 Presenting a Model for Eliminating Job Plateaus with Career Paths Among the Iraqi Football Federation Presenting a Model for Eliminating Job Plateaus with Career Paths Among the Iraqi Football Federation 99 116 12794 10.30473/arsm.2025.71468.3889 FA Mirhassan Seyedameri Professor, Department of Sports Management, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Ammar Sami Eidan Ghali Ph.D Student, Department of Sports Management, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran. Journal Article 2024 06 02 Introduction Human resources are the most valuable asset of any organization and country, and their development is considered the main factor of progress. Global changes have increased employee expectations from organizations, and one of the important challenges in this regard is job plateauing; that is, the point at which the possibility of hierarchical promotion becomes very limited. Career management in the modern approach is a tool for creating a balance between the needs of the individual and the organization, and can balance the psychological contract between job security and personal development. In the Iraqi Football Federation, due to the specific organizational structure and specialization of activities, the promotion path is limited and the activities are monotonous. This situation reduces motivation and causes job plateauing. Studies have shown that the share of education and learning in employee costs is very small and there are no diverse career paths. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of designing a model to eliminate job plateauing with a career approach in employees of the Iraqi Football Federation, and the main research questions focused on identifying the components, their ranking, the relationships between the components of the model, and the degree of fit of the model among employees. Mothodology This research was conducted in two stages. The first stage was qualitative and exploratory, and its aim was to identify the components and design a model. The statistical population of this section included executive experts and professors of sports and business management, 15 of whom were selected using the snowball sampling method. The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview and an initial questionnaire based on the Delphi technique, which was implemented in three stages, and in each stage, the indicators were refined based on the average score and importance coefficient to finally extract a final set of components. Theme analysis and the Delphi technique were used to analyze the data, and the validity of the tool was confirmed through interpretive and theoretical validity, and reliability through test-retest and agreement between two coders. The second stage was quantitative and explanatory research, and its aim was to test the model and apply the results. The statistical population of this section was all employees of the Iraqi Football Federation, 173 people, and the sample size was determined by using the Cochran formula to 120 people. Non-random sampling method was available and researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. The validity of the instrument in this section was confirmed in terms of face and content and reliability was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations in SmartPLS software. Findings The findings of the study showed that the proposed model has high validity for resolving job plateau. The GOF index was 0.546, indicating the strong quality of the model. The results of the path analysis showed that organizational dimensions with a coefficient of 0.635 and a statistic of 7.303, environmental dimensions with a coefficient of 0.904 and a statistic of 33.696, job dimensions with a coefficient of 0.823 and a statistic of 19.198, and individual dimensions with a coefficient of 0.731 and a statistic of 10.878 all have a significant effect on job plateau. These findings were consistent with previous studies and showed that various factors at the organizational, environmental, job, and individual levels all play a role in the formation or resolution of job plateau. Based on these results, it was suggested that valid tests such as NEO be used in the recruitment and hiring process to select individuals with high emotional intelligence and self-control. It is also necessary for employees to be trained in such a way that they consider serving in the Federation a national honor. Creating job variety through job rotation and experience in different areas can enhance employees’ skills and capabilities and prepare them to face unpredictable challenges. In addition, granting more freedom in performing tasks can increase motivation and job satisfaction and reduce monotony. Investment in training and learning should also be considered as a serious part of human resource costs to strengthen employees’ specialized capabilities. Discussion and Conclusion In the discussion and conclusion of the study, it was emphasized that job plateauing in the Iraqi Football Federation is caused by a combination of organizational, environmental, occupational, and individual factors, and to resolve it, a career path approach must be implemented comprehensively. Smart hiring by selecting people with appropriate personality traits, creating a positive organizational culture and a sense of pride in service, increasing the diversity of tasks through job rotation, granting freedom of action, and investing in training were introduced as key solutions. The designed model was able to identify the dimensions affecting job plateauing and explain the relationships between them, and its high validity shows that it can be used as an applicable model for the Iraqi Football Federation and other sports organizations. Implementing this model can increase employee motivation, create diverse career paths, and ultimately improve organizational productivity. It was also suggested to researchers to conduct similar research in the field of designing job plateauing resolution models with a career path approach in other organizations to examine the challenges of this system more closely. Introduction Human resources are the most valuable asset of any organization and country, and their development is considered the main factor of progress. Global changes have increased employee expectations from organizations, and one of the important challenges in this regard is job plateauing; that is, the point at which the possibility of hierarchical promotion becomes very limited. Career management in the modern approach is a tool for creating a balance between the needs of the individual and the organization, and can balance the psychological contract between job security and personal development. In the Iraqi Football Federation, due to the specific organizational structure and specialization of activities, the promotion path is limited and the activities are monotonous. This situation reduces motivation and causes job plateauing. Studies have shown that the share of education and learning in employee costs is very small and there are no diverse career paths. Therefore, the present study was conducted with the aim of designing a model to eliminate job plateauing with a career approach in employees of the Iraqi Football Federation, and the main research questions focused on identifying the components, their ranking, the relationships between the components of the model, and the degree of fit of the model among employees. Mothodology This research was conducted in two stages. The first stage was qualitative and exploratory, and its aim was to identify the components and design a model. The statistical population of this section included executive experts and professors of sports and business management, 15 of whom were selected using the snowball sampling method. The data collection tool was a semi-structured interview and an initial questionnaire based on the Delphi technique, which was implemented in three stages, and in each stage, the indicators were refined based on the average score and importance coefficient to finally extract a final set of components. Theme analysis and the Delphi technique were used to analyze the data, and the validity of the tool was confirmed through interpretive and theoretical validity, and reliability through test-retest and agreement between two coders. The second stage was quantitative and explanatory research, and its aim was to test the model and apply the results. The statistical population of this section was all employees of the Iraqi Football Federation, 173 people, and the sample size was determined by using the Cochran formula to 120 people. Non-random sampling method was available and researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect data. The validity of the instrument in this section was confirmed in terms of face and content and reliability was confirmed with Cronbach's alpha. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equations in SmartPLS software. Findings The findings of the study showed that the proposed model has high validity for resolving job plateau. The GOF index was 0.546, indicating the strong quality of the model. The results of the path analysis showed that organizational dimensions with a coefficient of 0.635 and a statistic of 7.303, environmental dimensions with a coefficient of 0.904 and a statistic of 33.696, job dimensions with a coefficient of 0.823 and a statistic of 19.198, and individual dimensions with a coefficient of 0.731 and a statistic of 10.878 all have a significant effect on job plateau. These findings were consistent with previous studies and showed that various factors at the organizational, environmental, job, and individual levels all play a role in the formation or resolution of job plateau. Based on these results, it was suggested that valid tests such as NEO be used in the recruitment and hiring process to select individuals with high emotional intelligence and self-control. It is also necessary for employees to be trained in such a way that they consider serving in the Federation a national honor. Creating job variety through job rotation and experience in different areas can enhance employees’ skills and capabilities and prepare them to face unpredictable challenges. In addition, granting more freedom in performing tasks can increase motivation and job satisfaction and reduce monotony. Investment in training and learning should also be considered as a serious part of human resource costs to strengthen employees’ specialized capabilities. Discussion and Conclusion In the discussion and conclusion of the study, it was emphasized that job plateauing in the Iraqi Football Federation is caused by a combination of organizational, environmental, occupational, and individual factors, and to resolve it, a career path approach must be implemented comprehensively. Smart hiring by selecting people with appropriate personality traits, creating a positive organizational culture and a sense of pride in service, increasing the diversity of tasks through job rotation, granting freedom of action, and investing in training were introduced as key solutions. The designed model was able to identify the dimensions affecting job plateauing and explain the relationships between them, and its high validity shows that it can be used as an applicable model for the Iraqi Football Federation and other sports organizations. Implementing this model can increase employee motivation, create diverse career paths, and ultimately improve organizational productivity. It was also suggested to researchers to conduct similar research in the field of designing job plateauing resolution models with a career path approach in other organizations to examine the challenges of this system more closely.

https://arsmb.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_12794_8c3ade9fbb8db167ab553c4c1ab4f2dc.pdf