Factor Analysis of Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats of Elite Sport Development in Iran

The aim of this study was the factor analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the elite sport development in Iran. The statistical population included 850 managers and the elite sport experts and physical education faculty members in Iran universities. In the qualitative section, the viewpoints of 25 elite sport experts were used and in the quantitative section, 265 subjects were selected as the sample using cluster random sampling method based on Morgan Table. To achieve the study objectives, a list of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats of the elite sport development in Iran was provided. Then based on the provided list, a researcher-made questionnaire with 61 items was distributed among the subjects. For data analysis, a Delphi method was used for the qualitative section and descriptive and inferential statistics including confirmatory factor analysis by AMOS and SPSS were used in the quantitative section. The results indicated that there were 10 strengths, 15 weaknesses, 6 opportunities, and 16 threats for the elite sport development in Iran. Finally, it is recommended that sport responsibilities pay attention to these findings and recommendations in order to develop the elite sport.