Identifying Challenges and Obstacles to the Effectiveness of Article 44 Policy in the Transfer of Sports Facilities in Tehran Province

Document Type : Original Article

Authors
Mostafa Afshari 1
Hamidreza Mirsafian 2
Fahimeh Mohammad Hassan 3
1 Sport Management Department, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Sport Management, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran
3 Department of Sport Management, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
10.22034/ntsmj.2026.2059519.1200
Abstract
Introduction: This research was conducted with the aim of "identifying the challenges and obstacles to the effectiveness of Article 44 policy in the transfer of sports facilities in Tehran Province."

Methods: This research utilized the postmodern (interpretive) paradigm and the thematic analysis approach. Data were collected through in-depth and semi-structured interviews with 13 experts and specialists in the field of sports management, including university faculty members. Sampling was done purposefully, and interviews continued until theoretical saturation was reached (after the twelfth interview). Data analysis was performed using open, axial, and selective coding in MAXQDA 2024 software. To ensure validity, the coding process was reviewed by several professors. Reliability was calculated using the test-retest method, which showed a coefficient of 72.81%, which was acceptable.

Results: Data analysis identified 229 initial codes, which were categorized into 8 challenges (including political-legal, managerial) and 12 obstacles (including infrastructural, cultural). Challenges include the lack of specific laws, lack of knowledge about policy implementation, negative attitudes of managers, economic problems, lack of government support, ambiguity in processes, managerial inefficiency, and lack of specialized teams. Obstacles include infrastructure weaknesses, political limitations, lack of precise planning, high investment risk, marketing weaknesses, lack of specialized knowledge, bureaucratic complexities, inconsistent interpretations of the law, lack of coordination between institutions, insufficient transparency, weak sports culture, and lack of investment incentives.

Conclusion: In general, this research showed that the success of Article 44 policy requires a multifaceted approach that considers both economic goals and social responsibilities. Removing legal, managerial, cultural, and bureaucratic obstacles is among the actions that must be taken.
Keywords
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