Exploring the Impacts of Holding of Chokheh Wrestling Sport Event on Host Communities

Today, many sporting events are taking place, and each of them has unique and special impacts. Identifying the impacts of sporting events in host communities are critical to the success of each event as well as the development of host communities. The present paper is aimed to provide valuable information to planners and officials of urban and rural areas by identifying the impacts of “Chokheh Wrestling” sporting event as the largest and most important indigenous and local sports event in the country. The method of this research was practical in terms of purpose and qualitative in terms of nature, and performed by using thematic analysis strategy. The research population consisted of directors, deputies and experts from the Sports and Youth General Directorates of Razavi and Northern Khorasan Provinces, The Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism General Directorates of Razavi and Northern Khorasan Provinces, Sports and Youth Offices in Razavi and Northern Khorasan Provinces, Wrestling Committees of Razavi and Northern Khorasan Provinces, Rural Sports and Local Native Games Committees in Razavi and Northern Khorasan Provinces, and Chokheh Wrestling Pioneers in the mentioned provinces. The sampling method in this research was purposive and according to the data saturation level, 28 persons were interviewed. The results of the qualitative section showed that the impacts of Chokheh Wrestling sporting event consisted of six main themes: economic, social, recreational-tourism, environmental, cultural and political, and 17 sub-themes. Based on the impacts of this event, city managers and officials can provide a platform for the development of host communities so that citizens can benefit from their material and spiritual interests.