Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Assistant Professor, Department of Sports Sciences, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Golestan University, Gorgan, Iran
Abstract
Background and Purpose
In today’s highly competitive global sports environment, the development of sports-especially at the championship level-requires scientific, inclusive, continuous, and systematic planning rather than traditional or ad hoc approaches (Wolstencroft, 2002). Reviewing sports development indicators reveals significant regional disparities within countries (Sadeghi Arani & Mirghafouri, 2009). To address these imbalances, it is essential to implement balanced policies that ensure equal access to resources and facilities, effectively achieved through land use planning. Land use planning involves the rational and optimal utilization of land resources by balancing the interaction among people, space, and activities (Kazemi, 2007). This research investigates land use planning in three popular championship sports-football, volleyball, and basketball-with the goal of promoting equitable distribution of sports activities and infrastructure across geographic regions. This approach aims to improve national performance in these sports and prevent the concentration of facilities in limited areas, a persistent challenge for sports policymakers.
Materials and Methods
This applied, mixed-methods study employed a field-based approach. The qualitative phase involved identifying land use planning indicators for championship sports through theoretical review and expert interviews. Thematic saturation was achieved with elite participants knowledgeable about the subject. The final indicators for football, volleyball, and basketball were extracted. The quantitative phase aimed to weight these indicators using the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and assess land use planning across provinces using data from the Ministry of Sports and Youth’s Statistics and Information Center. The numerical taxonomy method was applied to evaluate the development level of each region.
Findings
Qualitative analysis categorized the championship sports indicators into three components: human, space, and activity. Quantitatively, the human component accounted for 45% of the explanatory power, followed by activity (37%) and space (18%). In football, provinces such as Tehran, Khuzestan, Bushehr, Mazandaran, Isfahan, Gilan, East Azerbaijan, Kerman, Central, and Yazd were identified as developed (32.2%). Approximately 45.2% of provinces were semi-developed, and 22.6% were less developed in football. For volleyball, Mazandaran, West Azerbaijan, Golestan, Tehran, and Qazvin were developed (16.1%), with 54.9% semi-developed and 29% less developed. In basketball, Tehran, Isfahan, Khuzestan, Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari, and Khorasan Razavi were developed (16.1%), 45.1% semi-developed, and 38.8% less developed.
Discussion and Conclusion
Championship sports require clearly defined macro goals, strategies, and operational plans to avoid inefficiencies and resource wastage (Rasekh et al., 2014). This study provides scientific evidence to guide equitable attention and resource allocation across regions. The finding that only 21.5% of provinces are developed in popular ball sports is concerning, especially given the widespread popularity of these sports. Policymakers should prioritize investment in semi-developed and less developed provinces to elevate their status, thereby enhancing Iran’s prospects in international competitions such as the Olympics and Asian Games. Addressing these disparities through strategic land use planning will contribute significantly to national sports development and international success.
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