Developing a Framework for the Development of the Sports Ecosystem for People with Disabilities in Iran

The purpose of this research was to formulate the development framework of Iran's able-bodied sports ecosystem. The research method was of qualitative type with foundation data approach. The statistical population of the research included two parts of human resources (all experts, experts and experts in the field of research) and information sources (scientific, library, and relevant and reliable media). Sufficient number of interviewees and information sources were selected purposefully and based on reaching theoretical saturation (19 people and 32 documents). The research tool included semi-structured exploratory interviews along with a systematic library study. The validity of the tool was evaluated and confirmed based on the practical merit, legal and scientific validity of the sample, expert opinion and agreement between the correctors. In order to analyze the findings, the method of multi-stage conceptual coding (open, selective and thematic) was used in a systematic and exploratory manner. The final conceptual framework includes 11 main themes, 34 sub-themes and 136 conceptual codes (repeated themes). Based on the findings of the research, it can be said that the development of the disabled sports ecosystem in Iran requires a comprehensive and multi-level approach in which related variables are connected in a chain. Paying attention to the presented framework can help the sustainable growth of this ecosystem.