Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Mo.C., Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
2 Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences,Na.C.,Islamic Azad University , Najafabad, Iran
Abstract
This study aimed to provide a model for the role of sports in developing national security in Iran. The research was qualitative and based on the constructivist grounded theory approach. Participants included experts in sports and national security, sports managers, policymakers, experts in sports diplomacy and security planning, and university professors, selected using theoretical sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 16 participants. To evaluate the validity of the research, the criteria proposed by Guba and Lincoln (1985), including credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability, were employed. Data analysis was conducted using a coding process in three main stages: initial coding, focused coding, and theoretical coding. Ultimately, 108 initial concepts were identified and organized into 29 core categories. The findings revealed that sports play a significant role in enhancing national security by influencing social cohesion, reducing social harm, improving public health, mitigating violence and conflicts, promoting national values and culture, countering cultural invasions, and fostering unity during crises. However, barriers such as the lack of strategic planning, weak coordination among institutions, ineffective management, discrimination, international pressures, cultural weaknesses, and insufficient representation in international organizations limit the full utilization of sports' potential in this regard. To overcome these obstacles, strategies such as coalition-building, cultural promotion and support, expanding international interactions, supporting specific groups in sports, developing sports infrastructure, enhancing inter-agency coordination, promoting sports, and designing a comprehensive roadmap were identified and proposed.
Keywords
)