Explaining the role of sports in the social development of Iran with a mixed method approach

Social development makes sense alongside concepts such as social acceptance, social prosperity, and quality of life. These dimensions can be improved through the development of sport in the community. Therefore, the present study was conducted to explain the role of sports in the social development of Iran. The research method was mixed (qualitative-quantitative) and was conducted in the field. Qualitative sampling was performed in the form of snowballs, the statistical population of which included academic and executive elites who had educational and research activities in the field of sports sociology. In the quantitative part, a statistical sample of the research was selected in a sufficient number to model structural equations randomly. Based on a theoretical study and interviews with 17 experts, a researcher-made questionnaire was designed and adjusted in the form of 54 questions and 3 main indicators. Structural equation modeling method was used to analyze the findings. Based on the research findings and the results of path analysis, the variable of sports culture has an effect of 0.96 on the development of sports. Also, the variable of sports development by 0.90 can lead to social development. Therefore, it can be concluded that sport has a decisive role in the social development of Iran. According to the findings of this study, it can be concluded that sports and sports activities can have positive social consequences. Therefore, it is suggested that managers pay attention to investing in the sports culcher sector.