Development of a Model for Student Sports Development in Iraq

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to develop a model for student sports development in the Republic of Iraq. Methods and Materials: The study employed a descriptive–survey research design. The study population consisted of all physical education and sports experts working in the Ministry of Education of Iraq, as well as those in provincial, regional, and municipal education administrations, and physical education teachers. A purposive sampling procedure was utilized based on the criterion of an adequate sample size for structural equation modeling, yielding a total of 250 participants. Based on a comprehensive literature review, documentary analysis, and semi‐structured exploratory interviews, a researcher-developed questionnaire was constructed to assess the factors influencing student sports development. The questionnaire evaluated these factors across five dimensions: stakeholders, development strategies, development processes, development pathways, and development outcomes. Content validity of the instrument was confirmed by 15 experts in student sports, and its reliability coefficient was determined to be 0.89. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, and structural equation modeling via partial least squares (PLS). Findings: Comparative analysis of the factors influencing student sports development revealed that the development outcomes dimension held the highest priority, followed by development processes, development strategies, development pathways, and stakeholders. Model fit indices indicated that the structural model had an acceptable fit. According to the results, the stakeholders dimension influenced development strategies (β = 0.58). In addition, development strategies affected development processes (β = 0.76) and development outcomes (β = 0.35), while development processes influenced development pathways (β = 0.67) and development pathways, in turn, affected development outcomes (β = 0.30). Conclusion: These findings suggest that policymakers and planners should consider stakeholders, development strategies, development processes, and development pathways when formulating policies and programs for student sports development.