The Explanation and Analysis of Reasons and Consequences of Politicians’ Entrance into Iran Sport

As sport becomes popular and pervasive, politicians and governments are more involved in sport. The aim of this study was to explain and analyze reasons and consequences of politicians’ entrance into Iran sport. The whole process of this study included two steps: the first step: qualitative research, grounded theory type (using interviews and a review of articles and documents); the second step: quantitative research, descriptive-analytical type (using Delphi and AHP methods). The statistical population included all managers who formerly worked at the boards of directors of the Ministry of Sport and Youth (formerly known as Physical Education Organization), National Olympic Committee, sport federations and academic elites who at least were general managers in Sport and Youth office of a province. In the qualitative phase, the viewpoints of 18 subjects were used in 22 interviews (some subjects were interviewed more than once) and when it reached theoretical saturation, the data collection process ended. After the end of the first step, 56 variables were identified. Results showed that fame and elective motivations were the most important reasons why the politicians entered into Iran sport from elites’ viewpoints. Also, the development of infrastructures and increasing chaos in sport were the most important positive and negative consequences of the politicians’ entrance into Iran sport arena.