https://asml.ui.ac.ir/ Archives in Sport Management and Leadership en daily 1 Tue, 01 Dec 2026 00:00:00 +0330 Tue, 01 Dec 2026 00:00:00 +0330 https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30855.html https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30550.html This study aims to provide a combined model to optimize the performance evaluation of sports organizations. Experimental-mathematical method is used in this study. The needed information has been acquired using field, library, observation, questionnaire, and interview methods. The case study and statistical population are selected from the sports board. A mixed method of data collection tools has been used to obtain the inputs and outputs of sports boards considering factors, such as the number of human resources, available information, and other limitations. The two key methods used in this study are Fuzzy Analytic Network Process (FANP) and Fuzzy Data Envelopment Analysis (FDEA), which were applied to evaluate the performance of sports organizations. In total, the six factors extracted were scored using the balanced scorecard method by distributing 20 questionnaires among experts (6 experts from the Monitoring and Assessment Unit of the Sports and Youth General Office, 4 experienced sports managers, and 10 experts and secretaries of sports boards). The findings indicate that the fuzzy analytic network approach has been able to play up more the results while strengthening the previous methods. The results showed that taekwondo, chess, and track and field teams received similar ranks, which highlights the effectiveness of the combined method in providing more accurate and balanced performance evaluations. The findings emphasize that applying the combined methods allows for more robust assessments, as it mitigates the effect of incomplete judgments that may result from relying solely on quantitative or qualitative methods. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30155.html This study develops a sustainable supply chain model for active sports tourism using a mixed-method approach. The qualitative phase employed Glaser’s grounded theory, analyzing in-depth interviews with 12 experts in sport management, tourism, and sport tourism, including university professors and senior managers. Trustworthiness was ensured through expert review, and coding reliability was confirmed using a test–retest approach, yielding a Kappa coefficient of 0.79. The quantitative phase involved 380 participants, including students of physical education and tourism, domain experts, managers, and practitioners in the sports and tourism sectors. Data were analyzed using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and PLS-SEM, while reliability was assessed through Cronbach’s alpha calculated in SPSS, resulting in an overall coefficient of 0.82, indicating satisfactory internal consistency.The findings revealed that key components include equitable distribution of services, effective communication and awareness among stakeholders, creativity and innovation in performance, and sustainability and agility in operations. Moreover, the positive impact of these components on the social, economic, and environmental performance of sports tourism was confirmed. A sustainable sports tourism supply chain can serve as an effective instrument for promoting the sustainable development of this industry in Iran. Considering the country's existing potential, attention to the identified components can enhance sports tourism performance and increase foreign exchange revenues. It is recommended that managers and policymakers strengthen this supply chain by developing appropriate infrastructure and fostering a culture of social participation https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30615.html This study aimed to identify the factors influencing AI's role in attracting health-oriented sports tourists in Iran. Employing a qualitative exploratory design grounded in the interpretive-constructivist paradigm, data were collected through in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 15 purposively selected participants from three key stakeholder groups: health-oriented sports tourists, industry practitioners and experts and academic researchers and specialists in the field of artificial intelligence in tourism. The interview data were analyzed using Braun and Clarke's reflexive thematic analysis approach, adhering to the six-phase framework. The trustworthiness of the findings was ensured through Lincoln and Guba's four criteria of credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability. The analysis yielded a comprehensive hierarchical thematic structure comprising 42 basic themes, 12 subordinate themes, and 4 overarching main themes: (1) Technological Core: AI-Enabled Hyper-Personalization of the Health-Oriented Sports Tourism Experience; (2) Ethical-Cultural Governance: Culturally Intelligent, Trustworthy, and Responsible AI; (3) Systemic Impediments: A Multi-Layered Ecosystem of Barriers to AI Adoption; and (4) Strategic Roadmap for Implementation: Integrated Governance, Investment, and Collaborative Action. The findings reveal that while AI holds substantial transformative potential for delivering deeply personalized, data-driven health and fitness experiences, its successful implementation in the Iranian context is critically contingent upon embedding cultural intelligence, transparency, and user trust into the very design of AI systems, and systematically addressing a deeply interconnected ecosystem of legal, financial, technical, and socio-cultural barriers. The study concludes with a pragmatic, pilot-driven strategic roadmap and offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, industry practitioners, and academic institutions https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30582.html This study aimed to develop a grounded theory model explaining crisis management processes within Iranian sports organizations during the COVID-19 pandemic. Using Strauss & Corbin's (1990) grounded theory approach, qualitative data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 senior sports managers and sport management academics directly involved in decision-making during the pandemic. Data were analyzed through open, axial, and selective coding using manual coding supported by Microsoft Word. The analysis yielded a six-dimensional paradigmatic model. The model identifies six interconnected dimensions rather than a single cause. Managerial weaknesses and health-psychological vulnerabilities constituted the causal conditions. These operated within economic and infrastructural constraints and were shaped by legal and cultural-political intervening factors. Crisis response strategies were categorized as cultural, structural, and health-psychological. These strategies contributed to improved organizational resilience, health protection, and adaptive capacity. This study is limited by its focus on managerial perspectives and the specific Iranian context, which may restrict transferability. Nevertheless, the findings provide a context-sensitive framework to support future crisis preparedness and policy development in sport organizations. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30410.html Sports coaching requires diverse knowledge forms. While international coach education frameworks exist, they inadequately address context-specific needs, particularly in specialized sports like track and field. In Iran, persistent coaching gaps contribute to a high athlete dropout rate, training injuries, and declining international performance. This study aimed to identify the key knowledge dimensions required by Iranian track and field coaches. Using qualitative thematic analysis, 20 participants—six university professors in sport sciences with a focus on coaching and physical education, 12 experienced coaches, and two veteran athletes—were engaged in semi-structured interviews. Participants were selected through purposive snowball sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed using Attride-Stirling's thematic network approach. Four knowledge dimensions emerged: Foundational Knowledge (theoretical and practical sport sciences), Personal Knowledge (values, coaching philosophy, intrapersonal knowledge), Professional Knowledge (supervisory-managerial and technical-tactical skills), and Contextual Knowledge (experiential and behavioral dimensions). These findings extend existing international frameworks by recognizing foundational scientific knowledge and contextual knowledge as distinct and essential dimensions that have been previously underrepresented. This four-dimension model provides a comprehensive framework grounded in the Iranian coaching context. Rather than enforcing uniform certification, coaches and educators may emphasize different dimensions based on their career stage and coaching context. The model guides coaches to assess and respond to dynamic environments while fulfilling multiple roles. It also offers a practical pathway for developing qualified coaches, preventing injuries, reducing dropout, and revitalizing athletics on the international stage. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30540.html The present study aimed to propose a model of corporate governance and ownership structure affecting innovation in Iranian professional sports clubs. This research employed a qualitative approach using the grounded theory method (Glaserian approach). Data were collected through 21 in-depth interviews with experts, including chief executive officers, board members, university professors, and consultants, and were analyzed through open, selective, and theoretical coding. From a total of 150 initial codes, 26 main categories were extracted and organized within Glaser's 6C's family, including causes, conditions, contexts, Contingencies (interventions), Covariances (strategies), and consequences. The core category was identified as "structure-dependent innovation," indicating that innovation is strongly influenced by governance and ownership structures. The main causes included board dependence, individual-oriented innovation, and characteristics of ownership structure. Major barriers were identified as administrative bureaucracy, weak planning, and organizational fear. Positive interventions included the impact of private ownership, the reformative role of independent directors, and the role of specialized consultants. Strategies had the lowest frequency, reflecting the lack of systematic strategies in clubs. The ultimate consequence was identified as "the perpetuation of the structure-dependent innovation cycle," indicating the episodic, individual-oriented, and unstable nature of innovation in Iranian clubs. Accordingly, the findings suggest that strengthening governance structures, enhancing board independence, reducing administrative bureaucracy, establishing innovation-oriented reward mechanisms, fostering an organizational culture supportive of risk-taking, and developing long-term strategies may create more favorable conditions for sustainable innovation in Iranian professional sports clubs. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30478.html Qualitative research in sport management has gained increasing importance due to its ability to provide in-depth understanding of complex phenomena. However, the main challenge lies in how to assess the validity and trustworthiness of the findings of such research. The purpose of this article is to review, analyze, and critique validation strategies in common qualitative methods used in sport management, and to provide practical examples from Iranian research. This study is an analytical-critical review. A search was conducted in reputable scientific databases using relevant keywords. A set of key sources, including international articles, reference books, and Iranian studies, was examined using directed content analysis. Concepts related to validation in each method were extracted and categorized. Validation of qualitative research encompasses two general approaches: general frameworks, such as Lincoln and Guba’s four criteria (credibility, transferability, dependability, and confirmability), and method-specific strategies. In thematic analysis, techniques such as participant feedback and peer debriefing are applicable. In grounded theory, theoretical sampling and constant comparison form the cornerstones of validity. Content analysis faces the challenge of the inter-coder agreement coefficient, about which there are both supportive perspectives (enhancing objectivity) and opposing views (incompatibility with the interpretive nature). Phenomenology gains validity through concepts such as reduction and eidetic analysis. Narrative inquiry emphasizes coherence and impact on the audience, while ethnography highlights thick description and prolonged engagement. The validation of qualitative research is a multi-layered, dynamic process dependent on the research method. Using general frameworks alongside method-specific strategies, coupled with a critical view of common tools (e.g., the agreement coefficient) and the adoption of innovative approaches (e.g., critical friends), leads to the production of more credible and more localized knowledge in sport management. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30554.html The purpose of this study was to examine the role of transformational leadership in enhancing resilience and ensuring the continuity of family-owned sports businesses. The study employed a descriptive survey design with a correlational approach. The statistical population consisted of key managers and influential employees working in family-owned sports businesses in Iran, from which 90 participants were selected using a convenience sampling method. Data were collected using the Organizational Resilience Questionnaire developed by Lengnick-Hall et al. (2011), the Transformational Leadership Scale proposed by Rafferty and Griffin (2004), and the Business Survival Questionnaire developed by Kozak (2017). The data were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS software. The findings revealed that transformational leadership has a direct and significant effect on resilience (path coefficient = 0.811) as well as on the survival of family-owned sports businesses (path coefficient = 0.384). In addition, the results indicated that resilience directly influences business survival (path coefficient = 0.477) and mediates the relationship between transformational leadership and business survival. Overall, the findings show that transformational leadership improves business survival by strengthening organizational resilience. Inspirational motivation and intellectual stimulation play an important role in helping family-owned sports businesses adapt to change and manage crises. Furthermore, resilience was found to partially mediate the relationship between transformational leadership and business survival, as indicated by the Variance Accounted For (VAF = 0.525), demonstrating that both direct and indirect effects were significant. Therefore, managers should focus on motivating employees through a clear vision and encouraging continuous learning to strengthen resilience and support long-term sustainability in difficult economic conditions https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30539.html The ability of startups to survive and thrive in competitive environments depends largely on their entrepreneurial drive and strategic adaptability, yet empirical evidence from the sports industry remains limited. This research sought to investigate the mediating function of strategic flexibility in the relationship between entrepreneurial activities and the performance of sports startups in Iraq. The research was applied in purpose and descriptive-survey in nature. The population included managers and employees of sports startups, and 379 participants were selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using standardized questionnaires: entrepreneurial activities (Daradkeh & Mansoor, 2023), strategic flexibility (Sen et al., 2023), and startup performance (Daradkeh & Mansoor, 2023). The validity and reliability of the instruments were confirmed through confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), Cronbach’s alpha, composite reliability (CR), and average variance extracted (AVE). Data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) with Smart PLS software. The results indicated that entrepreneurial activities had a significant positive effect on startup performance (β=0.283, t=5.568, p<0.001) and strategic flexibility (β=0.609, t=15.481, p<0.001), while strategic flexibility directly enhanced startup performance (β=0.483, t=9.319, p<0.001). Furthermore, the mediating role of strategic flexibility in the pathway from entrepreneurial activities to startup performance was confirmed (β=0.294, t=7.503, p<0.001). The findings suggest that sports startups can enhance innovation and responsiveness to market changes by fostering an entrepreneurial culture and establishing flexible organizational structures. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30553.html The purpose of the present study was to identify and explain the pattern of factors influencing the success and failure of sports start-ups in Iraq’s sports industry. This study employed a qualitative approach using thematic analysis based on the six-phase framework proposed by Braun and Clarke (2006). Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, including managers, founders of sports start-ups, and experts in entrepreneurship and sports, selected through purposive and snowball sampling. The data analysis process included familiarization with the data, initial coding, searching for themes, reviewing themes, naming themes, and producing the final report, through which the conceptual model of the study was developed. To ensure credibility, peer review, triangulation (confirming the consistency of findings with reality), and documentation and confirmation by peers were applied. The findings led to the identification of eight main themes: basic infrastructure, human resources, market and customers, advertising and branding, management and leadership, external environment, innovation and technology and entrepreneurial culture. Based on the results, it can be concluded that the success of sports start-ups in Iraq requires a systemic approach, targeted investment in infrastructure, human resource empowerment, development of market and customer knowledge and effective policy and legal support. In the absence of these elements, even creative ideas and potential capacities will lose the opportunity to become sustainable and profitable activities. Accordingly, the proposed research model can be used as a local analytical framework for designing policies, developing support programs, and assessing the status of the sports entrepreneurship ecosystem in Iraq https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30411.html Purpose: The aim of this study is to explain this style by analyzing the roles of key players (head coaches, technical staff, players, federation managers, support staff, media, fans and sponsors) and the alignment of goals of national teams in football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling and taekwondo. Methodology: This prospective study used key actor analysis in Iran's championship sports, employing the MACTOR strategic simulation tool to assess power relations and goal alignments. Key actors and objectives were derived from official documents like federation regulations (football, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, taekwondo) and Ministry of Sports reports, plus expert interviews. Findings: The findings showed that head coaches have the highest influence (42) and players have the highest dependency (39); federation managers show the highest competitiveness (3.3), while the media have the lowest (0.55). Performance goals such as global success and team orientation received full support, but long-term goals such as youth development were less supported. Strong convergence was observed between head coaches, federation and technical staff, in contrast to the prominent divergence between federation and sponsors. The conclusion emphasizes that this style strengthens national cohesion and suggests that by integrating participatory elements, dependency can be reduced and performance can be sustained, which offers innovation in the management of Iranian championship sports. Originality: The style balances authority and benevolence, boosting national success but risking creativity limits. Recommendations include participatory integrations to lessen dependencies and divergences, prioritizing youth alongside victories. This framework advances coaching strategies, addressing global influences on athletes, fostering sustainable championship sports in Iran. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30580.html In recent decades, governance in sports has appeared as a prominent research area, attracting significant attention from scholars in sports and management disciplines. The purpose of this study is to depict the process of spreading governance in sports from different perspectives, including the main topics, the dynamics of words, the origins of authors, and finally, research gaps and future directions. This research uses bibliometric study to analyze all Web of Science publications from 1996 to May 2023 on governance in sport. This study shows that concepts such as "project governance," "e-sports," "sports independence," "network governance," and "corporate governance" have been among the most used key phrases in the field of sports governance in recent years. These concepts will represent the emerging trends in sports governance among prominent researchers, and researchers in this field are suggested to keep these keywords in mind to conduct their research. This study provides substantial scientific innovation and value through a comprehensive analysis of key trends in sports governance. Furthermore, by identifying and analyzing emerging keywords, this research elucidates how digital transformations, network structures, and the increasing significance of autonomy in sports organizations are reshaping governance paradigms. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30652.html The aim of this study was to identify the challenges of using artificial intelligence (AI) in sports talent identification. A qualitative methodology was employed, utilizing Braun and Clarke’s (2006) six-step thematic analysis framework. Data collection involved purposive sampling of key informants until theoretical saturation was achieved. In-depth and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 14 experts and scholars specializing in sports talent identification and AI, including individuals engaged in both research and practical applications within this domain. To ensure validity and trustworthiness throughout the research process, four critical (credibility, dependability, confirmability and transferability) were meticulously evaluated at each stage. Analysis of the qualitative data obtained from the interviews resulted in 56 initial codes, which were categorized into 15 sub-themes and five main themes, including data and infrastructure, evaluation and integration, technical and model, ethical and legal, and organizational and management challenges. These findings illuminate significant obstacles encountered when leveraging AI in sports talent identification systems. Despite these challenges, the study emphasizes the potential for integrating human intelligence with AI to enhance both visual and scientific assessments. By addressing these barriers, AI-driven systems can significantly contribute to the identification of untapped talent across a variety of sports disciplines, thereby facilitating the development of more comprehensive talent development strategies. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30838.html Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to develop a model for organizational dynamics in crisis management within sports enterprises. Methodology: The research employed a qualitative approach, utilizing purposive and snowball sampling to conduct interviews with 19 top sports business elites, entrepreneurs, and managers. The interview data were analyzed using the Grounded Theory method, involving three stages: open, axial, and selective coding. Results: Initial analysis yielded 460 open codes. Through axial coding, these were condensed into 207 concepts, which were further refined into 37 main categories during selective coding. These categories were integrated into the five dimensions of the Strauss and Corbin model. Causal conditions included issues such as revenue generation, technology, marketing, and neglect of human capital. The context involved media, technology, competition, and economic factors. Intervening conditions encompassed infrastructural, managerial, legal, and cultural obstacles. Identified strategies included empowerment, technology development, cost control, and social capital building. The outcomes were classified as economic, structural, qualitative, cultural, and organizational developments. Conclusion: Given the impact of crises on sports businesses, it is essential for management and stakeholders to implement the strategies identified in this research to foster foresight, proactivity, and future success, even under current crisis conditions. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30839.html The Current study aims to identify and prioritize stakeholders influencing elite sport governance in Iran using an exploratory mixed-methods design. In the qualitative phase, 19 experts were interviewed through purposive sampling, and thematic analysis identified three stakeholder levels: institutional, organizational, and social actors. These findings informed the quantitative phase, in which 25 experts evaluated stakeholder importance using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). Pairwise comparisons were analyzed using Expert Choice, with consistency ratios below 0.1. In the quantitative phase, results indicate that universities and research centers (0.347) hold the highest influence in elite sport governance, followed by the sport industry (0.315), the private sector (0.225), and civil society and fans (0.113). The dominance of institutional stakeholders suggests a centralized and knowledge-driven governance structure with limited social participation. The findings highlight the need to enhance horizontal collaboration and strengthen participatory mechanisms to improve transparency and long-term sustainability in Iranian elite sport governance. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30840.html Purpose: Since adventure sports tourism has multiple key players and objectives, the aim of this study is to analyze the players and objectives of developing this type of sports tourism. Methodology: In the present study, the degree of influence and influence of key players on each other, as well as the identification of the function of each player towards the goals of the adventure sports tourism field, was examined and appropriate strategies were presented. 19 sports management experts who were selected in a completely purposeful manner completed the actor-actor and actor-goal matrices, then the Mactor software was used to analyze the data. Findings: The most important players in adventure sports tourism are tourism program organizers, tourism agencies, sports tourism participants, local communities, and the government and governing institutions. The most important goals of this field include making the community happy and its impact on tourist acceptance, increasing the livability of susceptible areas, increasing the level of welfare, changing the type of employment, preserving natural resources, creating employment opportunities, interactions between local people and tourists, economic growth and development, improving the health and well-being of tourists, and ultimately empowering the local community. In this regard, the government and governing institutions play the most important role in achieving the goals and developing adventure sports tourism as the most key player. Originality: The main actors are the government and the governing and affiliated institutions, whose main role will be to influence the implementation of decisions and policies affecting adventure sports tourism. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30841.html The aim of this study was to develop a talent identification management model for Paralympic sports. This applied study adopted an exploratory qualitative approach using thematic analysis. Participants included 21 experts, managers, coaches, elite athletes, faculty members, and specialists in Paralympic sports who were selected through purposive and snowball sampling based on their expertise and involvement in talent identification and development. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s six-phase thematic analysis framework. The analysis resulted in 136 basic themes, 27 organizing themes, and 5 global themes. The findings identified the following global themes: (1) the nature and dimensions of Paralympic talent identification management, including multidimensional talent indicators, classification requirements, talent pathways, and systems for development and retention; (2) influencing factors, including governance, stakeholder coordination, specialized human resources, infrastructure, data systems, and family and social support; (3) challenges and barriers, such as unequal access, infrastructural limitations, shortages of specialized personnel, weak grassroots programs, unclear development pathways, and cultural barriers; (4) strategies for improvement, including standardization of talent identification processes, development of a national talent identification network, human resource training, multidimensional athlete support, data-driven monitoring systems, and long-term development pathways; and (5) outcomes, including individual, elite sport, managerial, organizational, social, and cultural outcomes. Overall, the findings demonstrated that talent identification management in Paralympic sports is a multidimensional, context-dependent, and continuous process requiring integrated systems of identification, classification, development, support, monitoring, and talent retention. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30842.html This study aimed to examine the role of streamers’ persuasive power in shaping perceived brand credibility and purchase intention among esports live-stream viewers. A quantitative, descriptive–correlational design was employed, and data were collected through a field survey. The target population consisted of Iranian esports live-stream viewers with consistent experience in consuming streaming content and exposure to brand-related messages. A simple random sampling method was used, resulting in 375 valid questionnaires for final analysis. Data were collected using a five-point Likert-scale questionnaire measuring streamer content value, perceived authenticity, parasocial relationships, brand credibility, and purchase intention. Data were analyzed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS software. The findings indicated that streamers’ persuasive power, operationalized through three key dimensions—content value (informativeness and entertainment), perceived authenticity, and parasocial relationships—has a significant positive effect on both perceived brand credibility and purchase intention. Moreover, parasocial relationships play a crucial mediating role in transmitting persuasive effects and strengthening the influence of streamers on consumers’ decision-making processes. The results suggest that streamers in esports are not merely content creators but influential actors in digital marketing ecosystems capable of shaping brand perceptions and consumer behavior. Accordingly, brands can enhance advertising effectiveness by collaborating strategically with credible streamers and producing content aligned with live-stream contexts. It is further recommended that marketing campaigns move beyond direct advertising approaches and instead emphasize interaction, authenticity, and sustained relational engagement through streamers in order to achieve stronger consumer impact. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30843.html This study was conducted to identify the cultural indicators for monitoring sports facilities. An exploratory qualitative method utilizing thematic analysis based on the six-step model of Braun and Clarke (2006) was employed. The research population consisted of participants selected through a triangulation technique, including sports management faculty members, senior managers with experience in sports sector, and athletes. In accordance with the nature of the study, 18 participants were purposefully selected and interviewed until data saturation was reached. The primary data collection tool was a semi-structured interview. Intra-subject reliability was used to ensure the reliablity of the interviews. Additionally, credibility, dependability, transferability, and confirmability were employed to enhance the validity of the findings. The results indicated that the cultural indicators for monitoring sports facilities include “Educational and developmental approaches”, “Islamic values”, “Iranian values”, “Cultural symbols”, “Cultural events”, and “Modeling”. Focusing on these findings can serve as a foundation for strengthening the cultural effectiveness of sports facilities in research and implementation domains, and can be considered by management and oversight authorities of sports facilities. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30844.html This study aimed to analyze the challenges and opportunities of sustainable development in Iraqi university sports through a multichannel marketing approach. Using a qualitative approach and thematic analysis, data were collected via semi-structured interviews with 14 experts in sport management and university sports officials in Iraq, selected through purposive sampling, and analyzed using MAXQDA software. The findings revealed that challenges to sustainable development in Iraqi university sports fall into four dimensions: managerial-organizational (weak strategic planning, bureaucracy, lack of evaluation systems, and attitudinal barriers), educational-cultural (knowledge and skills gaps, university-industry gap, marginalization of sports, and student participation barriers), economic (financial instability and weak investment attraction), and infrastructural-technological (weak digital infrastructure and deteriorating sports facilities). Conversely, opportunities across these same dimensions included managerial and data-driven governance capacity, human and cultural capital, investment and sponsorship attraction, and the expansion of social media and low-cost technologies. Multichannel marketing can serve as a strategic approach for sustainable development in Iraqi university sports, provided that structural, managerial, economic, and infrastructural challenges are addressed through integrated policymaking and strategic planning. The proposed model offers an operational framework for identifying opportunities, addressing challenges, and guiding strategic planning in Iraqi university sports. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30889.html The aim of this study was to develop a conceptual framework for the sharing economy in sports federations based on the perspectives of experts in the sports sector. A qualitative approach was adopted, and data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 25 experts selected using purposive and accessible sampling until theoretical saturation was achieved. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and trustworthiness was assessed based on Lincoln and Guba’s (1985) criteria. The findings identified five main dimensions: collaboration networks, stakeholder participation, resource status, organization of shared resources, and social and economic consequences. The findings further indicated that these dimensions are conceptually interconnected: collaboration networks connect stakeholders, participation activates resource-sharing relationships, resource status establishes the conditions for sharing, and resource organization facilitates structured access and use, with social and economic consequences emerging from these practices. Importantly, the findings highlight context-specific mechanisms relevant to Iranian sports federations, including inter-federation resource sharing, reduction of resource duplication, access to specialized capabilities, and improved utilization of existing capacities. The proposed framework provides a context-specific conceptual basis for developing sharing practices in sports federations and offers a foundation for future empirical testing. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30909.html This study examined sports administrators’ managerial effectiveness and its relationship with athletes’ competitive readiness in South-South Nigeria.It assessed the levels of managerial effectiveness and competitive readiness,the relationships between managerial effectiveness dimensions and competitive readiness,and the joint and independent contributions of managerial effectiveness to competitive readiness. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was adopted. The quantitative phase involved 300 participants: 240 athletes and 60 sports administrators from selected sports programmes. Athletes completed the Managerial Effectiveness Scale (MES) and Athletes’ Competitive Readiness Scale (ACRS), while administrators completed the MES. Athletes were the primary respondents; administrators provided a complementary managerial perspective. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, and multiple regression.Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 15 athletes and 10 sports administrators were analysed thematically. Findings showed that overall managerial effectiveness was moderate,whereas athletes’ competitive readiness was high.Communication had the highest managerial effectiveness mean, while financial/resource management had the lowest. All four managerial dimensions were significantly and positively related to competitive readiness. Multiple regression showed that the four dimensions jointly explained 41% of the variance in competitive readiness.Communication made the largest independent contribution, followed by human resource management, financial/resource management, and ethical decision-making. Qualitative findings generated four themes: effective communication enhances confidence and focus; athlete-centred human resource management strengthens motivation;resource availability creates organisational stability; and ethical leadership builds trust. The study concludes that sports administrators’ managerial effectiveness is significantly associated with athletes’ competitive readiness and highlights communication, personnel management,resource provision, and ethical administrative practices as important aspects of the sporting environment. https://asml.ui.ac.ir/article_30927.html Objective: Women's sports in Iran face numerous challenges, particularly regarding visibility and support. As influential social institutions, the media play a key role in shaping public attitudes and the level of women's participation in sports. This systematic review aims to investigate the effect of media coverage on the development, public perception, and level of support for women's sports in Iran between 2011 and 2026. Methods: A total of 38 relevant scientific articles were selected from reputable Iranian databases based on systematic search criteria. Data were analyzed through thematic coding to identify main patterns, frameworks, and selected recommendations. Results: The findings indicate that while media can enhance interest and participation of women in sports, gender-biased formats, and limited and overly cultural coverage hinder real progress. Additionally, the lack of efficient media planning and institutional support has reduced opportunities for attracting sponsors and public attention. Conclusions: Eliminating media prejudices and increasing the presence and visibility of female athletes are essential steps toward achieving gender equality in Iranian sports. Fair and supportive representation of female athletes can serve as a driving force for broader social development. This review contributes to the existing knowledge by systematically synthesizing national studies on media and women's sports in Iran, identifying persistent gaps in media coverage, and proposing a framework for more equitable media representation of female athletes.