The Model of Sports Diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran

To present a model of sport diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

In this study, a snowball sampling technique was used to select an initial group for interview, and then the other groups were introduced for interview by the same group, and the sampling continued until the theoretical saturation was sufficient. In interview stage, 16 interviews were conducted to inform the experts. After reaching theoretical saturation by analyzing data from interviews, comparative studies, existing background and analysis, identified sport diplomacy items and finally sports diplomacy questionnaire was designed. For the reliability of the measuring instrument, the agreement between two coders based on kappa coefficient was used. To assess the content validity of the questionnaire, 8 experts in physical education were asked to examine the questions based on the first stage model. According to the experts, a final questionnaire with 104 questions was prepared.

After open coding, categories including causal conditions, contextual conditions, action strategies and consequences of sports diplomacy were extracted., At the axial and selective coding stage, the link between these categories was determined in the form of a research paradigm model and the final theory was formed.

In the qualitative stage model, the causal factors, power tools, financial conditions, and identity instruments were causal factors in the sport diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Structural factors, sport status of the country, participation, empowerment, and media were among the most effective background conditions in the sport diplomacy of the Islamic Republic of Iran.