Extended Abstract
Background and Purpose
The sports industry is recognized as one of the largest and fastest-growing economic sectors of the twenty-first century, with impacts extending far beyond field competitions and conventional entertainment. Sport has evolved into a multifaceted social, cultural, and economic phenomenon, significantly influencing key indicators such as Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Gross National Product (GNP), employment generation, tourism, public health, and international diplomacy (Rezaei, Gharakhanlou & Soleimani, 2019, p. 150). Consequently, the sports industry is no longer merely a recreational domain but has transformed into a strategic, international value chain encompassing economic, cultural, and technological functions. According to the financial report by the Market Research Corporation (2024, p. 3), the global sports industry market was valued at approximately USD 480.12 billion in 2023, expected to grow to USD 506.93 billion by the end of 2024, and projected to surpass USD 1 trillion by 2030. Multiple studies have identified the core components of the global sports industry as follows: sporting activities (including grassroots sport, educational sport, elite sport, and professional sport); sport-related industries (such as production of sport goods and services, and development of infrastructure and equipment); intermediary services and complementary markets (media and broadcasting rights, advertising and sponsorship, sport tourism, medical services, and sport insurance); and institutional, organizational, and policy frameworks (governance and regulatory bodies, economic and cultural environment, and technological innovation) (Rezaei & Salehipour, 2018, p. 90; Emami, Emami, & Afshari, 2022, p. 232; Orunbayev, 2023, p. 165). There are various global frameworks for categorizing the structure of sport. One well-known hierarchical model is that of Mull, Hardy and Sutton (2005, p. 198), who conceptualize sport structure into four sequential tiers: educational (developmental) sport, recreational and mass sport, elite sport, and professional sport. Each tier encompasses multiple indicators of development. At the base of the pyramid lies educational and developmental sport, while professional sport occupies the apex. The greatest participation rates are observed at the base, with participation decreasing progressively toward the apex. Another model, proposed by Shilbury et al. (2009, p. 213), places educational and foundational sport at the broad base, with mass and elite sport sharing the middle tier, and professional sport positioned at the top of the pyramid. Similarly, Green's participation model (2007, p. 132) situates mass sport at the base, followed by high-performance (elite) sport, culminating with professional sport at the apex. Based on findings from various studies, the key characteristics of elite sport include intense physical and psychological pressures, competition within structured environments governed by strict rules and specialized officiating, utilization of advanced data-driven technologies, time constraints and defined peak performance periods, a strong focus on performance excellence and continuous improvement, institutional and governmental support, high social and cultural value, adherence to sports ethics and anti-doping measures, emphasis on non-monetary values, and a commitment to long-term development (Rezaei, Gharakhanlou & Soleimani, 2019, p. 172; Ohl, Fincoeur & Schoch, 2020, p. 389; Zajda & Vissin, 2024, p. 103). Elite sport not only enhances individual health but also plays a pivotal role in sustainable community development by motivating youth, promoting a culture of peace and friendship, and fostering social cohesion. Success of athletes on international stages can elevate a nation's global prestige and influence (Rodríguez et al., 2024, p. 12). Moreover, elite sport is a key driver of the sports economy, significantly contributing to global economic growth through job creation, attracting investment, and developing the sports tourism industry. Consequently, elite sport serves as a catalyst for economic growth, infrastructural development, and national brand enhancement, although it concurrently faces challenges such as financial risks and legacy effects (Preuss, 2019, p. 104). The structure of sport in any country reflects the complex interactions among governmental, private, social, and cultural institutions. In Iran, this structure is influenced by specific political, economic, cultural, and historical factors that shape the organization, management, and development of sport. A comprehensive understanding of this structure requires a multidisciplinary and multifaceted approach (Rezaei & Salehipour, 2018, p. 91). Consequently, the management of elite sport in Iran predominantly follows a top-down, state-centered approach and has yet to transition into a model of participatory, multi-stakeholder governance. In contrast, in most countries, elite sport management involves collaboration among governmental bodies, professional clubs, private investors, players' unions, and media and marketing institutions. A review and synthesis of the existing literature indicate that elite sport in Iran, regarded as a strategic tool for enhancing public health, strengthening national identity, and elevating the country's international standing, faces numerous challenges and obstacles. These barriers include weaknesses in integrated management, inefficiencies within the sports governance system, lack of federation autonomy, human resource inadequacies, financial opacity and organizational corruption, uneven infrastructure development, international sanctions and restrictions, political interference, ineffective utilization of broadcasting and advertising revenues, shortage of modern information and communication technology infrastructure, imperfect and non-competitive markets, as well as cultural, social, and gender-related obstacles. Furthermore, a heavy financial dependency on governmental sources and insufficient active participation of the private sector exacerbate these issues. Despite these challenges, abundant latent talents and widespread public interest in sports provide significant potential for the advancement of elite sport in Iran. Accordingly, this study aims to examine the factors influencing the development of elite sport in the country and to propose practical and appropriate strategies for its enhancement.
Methods
Employing a qualitative methodology grounded in the systematic approach of Strauss and Corbin's grounded theory, data were collected through literature review and in-depth semi-structured interviews with 21 purposively selected experts familiar with elite sport. A snowball sampling technique was used to identify participants for the interviews. To ensure trustworthiness of the findings, member checking and expert reviews were conducted, and process auditing yielded an inter-coder agreement of 93%. Data analysis followed the constant comparative method across three distinct stages: open coding, axial coding, and selective coding, in accordance with the grounded theory framework.
Results
In total, 362 conceptual codes were extracted from the interviews, which, after refinement and classification, were organized into 74 subcategories and ultimately consolidated into 11 main categories. These categories include politicization and structural interference in the governance system of elite sport, development of elite sport in Iran, reform and strengthening of governance and sport management structures, commercialization and privatization of the sport industry, expansion of the professional club system and enhancement of sport diplomacy, development of standard sport infrastructures and facilities, design of a national talent identification system, effective and efficient management, macro-level context and intra-organizational capacities, competent human resources, and multidimensional sustainability and strategic effectiveness within the elite sport system. Each of these categories represents a critical dimension that influences the trajectory of elite sport development in Iran, and together they form a comprehensive framework for understanding the complex interplay of factors at play.
Conclusion
Elite sport, as a fundamental pillar of the national sports system, plays a strategic role in enhancing social capital, fostering national pride, promoting public diplomacy, generating national honor, and contributing to economic development. However, a comprehensive analysis of the current state of elite sport in Iran reveals numerous structural, managerial, economic, cultural, and international challenges that undermine its sustainability and effectiveness. Structurally, Iran's elite sport governance system is characterized by centralization, politicization, and institutional overlaps. The overlapping roles and responsibilities among institutions such as the Ministry of Sports and Youth, the National Olympic Committee, sports federations, and other governmental bodies have disrupted strategic coherence in policymaking and implementation. The absence of a transparent, accountable, and coordinated governance structure has impaired operational efficiency across the entire system. Regarding human capital, despite possessing significant talent across various disciplines, weaknesses in designing and implementing a national talent identification system, long-term planning, and targeted support for elite athletes have led to resource wastage, shortened athlete career longevity, and elite athlete migration. These deficiencies, combined with a lack of professional welfare and motivational systems, have weakened the drivers of individual and team development in elite sports. Economically, Iran's elite sport remains predominantly dependent on governmental budgets and suffers from the absence of sustainable financial mechanisms. The lack of a tax system supportive of sports, insufficient private sector investment, failure to realize sustainable revenues such as broadcasting rights, advertising, and branding, and the absence of protective legislation for clubs and athletes hinder the formation of a resilient and productive sports economy. Resource allocation inequality has also resulted in disproportionate focus on certain sports—particularly football—at the expense of other promising disciplines. In terms of infrastructure, a significant portion of sports facilities and equipment across the country is either outdated or fails to meet international standards. The shortage of specialized facilities in underserved regions and insufficient investment in grassroots and school sports has weakened the athlete development pipeline from early ages. Furthermore, inadequate provision of professional support services—including sports medicine, nutrition, sports psychology, and performance analysis—has compromised the competitiveness of Iranian athletes on the international stage. Internationally, Iran's sports diplomacy has underperformed relative to its potential. Despite sporadic successes at events like the Olympics, Asian Games, and world championships, limited Iranian representation in global sports governance bodies, constrained relations with international federations, and geopolitical influences have prevented Iran's firm establishment in the global sports governance arena. Restrictions on hosting international events and limited outbound athlete participation have further reduced international sports engagement. Regarding club management, ownership structures, financial management, and marketing remain predominantly non-professional and government-dependent. The failure to register clubs as commercial entities, weak branding, and inefficiency in diversifying revenue sources—such as sponsorship, merchandise sales, membership programs, and digital media—have obstructed the development of professionally sustainable clubs at national and international levels. In sum, this analysis indicates that elite sport in Iran is in a state of "incomplete and unstable growth." Despite abundant human capital, a history of achievements, and multiple latent resources, systemic weaknesses across structural, managerial, financial, technological, and international domains have hindered sustainable and equitable development in this sector. Consequently, it is imperative for policymakers in the sports domain to adopt a comprehensive and scientific approach centered on governance reform, structural modernization, enhancement of sports diplomacy, strengthening of technological infrastructure, and human resource empowerment in order to holistically revitalize Iran's elite sports system.
 
Article Message
This study examines the status and development of elite sport in Iran within the context of the global sports industry, which represents a strategic economic, social, and cultural sector. The findings reveal that Iran's elite sport faces significant structural, managerial, economic, and international challenges, including politicized governance, centralized management, financial dependence on the state, weaknesses in talent identification, and limited sports diplomacy. Despite abundant human potential and latent resources, sustainable development requires comprehensive governance reform, structural modernization, commercialization of the sports industry, infrastructure enhancement, and human resource empowerment to strengthen Iran's position in global elite sport.
Ethical Considerations
All research procedures were conducted in strict accordance with established ethical standards in elite sport and sports management, ensuring the scientific integrity of the study, the confidentiality of all data, and the protection of the rights and dignity of all participants throughout the research process.
Authors' Contributions
All authors contributed equally to all stages of the study, including conceptualization and study design, data collection, data processing, quantitative and qualitative analyses, manuscript drafting, critical review and editing, literature review, project management, and securing funding. They also contributed to any other aspects of the study as required and collectively assumed full responsibility for the scientific and ethical integrity of the research.
Conflict of Interest
The authors declare that they have no conflicts of interest regarding this publication.
Acknowledgments
We sincerely thank all participants of this study for their invaluable contributions and cooperation, which were essential to the successful completion of this research.