Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Shahid Beheshti University
2 Media and Sport Management Department. Faculty of Sport Sciences and Health, University of Shahid Beheshti University
3 university of shahid beheshti
Abstract
Iran's National Paralympic Committee has taken steps to promote inclusive sports for people with disabilities in line with international standards, including transferring some disabled sports from the Disabled Sports Federation to National Federations since 2018. This research aims to explore the necessity and challenges of such transfers, with a focus on identifying structural, policy, and cultural barriers faced by the national federations.This study employed a qualitative research design, and involved thirteen participants who were selected through targeted and snowball sampling. The sample included experts in disabled sports, sports management, and sociology, as well as Paralympic athletes, managers of the National Paralympic Committee, and presidents and managers of federations. Semi-structured interviews were conducted face-to-face with each participant and inductive approach and theme analysis were used to analyze the qualitative data. MAXQDA software was instrumental in streamlining the processes of data extraction, classification, and management. The data were generally categorized into two parts: the needs and challenges of transferring disabled sports to National Federations as a mainstreaming policy. The transfer of sports disciplines to National Federations is necessary to promote sports participation, diversity, inclusiveness, and sustainable development. However, this process poses challenges such as structural issues, weak macro policies, bias, hiring practices, resistance to change, and lack of shared experience. These challenges affect athletes with disabilities, national federations, and the National Paralympic Committee. To address these challenges, it is recommended to update macro sports policies and revise regulations and statutes of the federation in the initial stage of the transfer process.
Keywords
)