Prioritization and Analysis of the Viewpoints of Honorable Religious Authorities and Top Instructors of Seminary on the Sport Functions in Iranian Society

This study aimed at prioritizing and analyzing the viewpoints of honorable religious authorities and top instructors of seminary on the sport functions in Iranian society. The method of the study was qualitative and grounded theory. Interviews and review of related literature were used to collect data. The sampling method was theoretical and theoretical saturation was obtained after 16 deep and semi-structured interviews with religious authorities and top instructors of seminary. The data were analyzed by open, axial and selective coding. Another researcher used open coding to assure the procedure. Findings showed that psychological-social function was the most important factor and physical, religious, emotional, political and economic factors occupied other places respectively. These findings showed that these functions increase life quality, improve personal and social health, establish a spiritual sport environment, create motivations in people, increase national pride and autonomy, help to create more jobs and also establish economic resistance in Iran sport.