The present study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the achievement of sustainable development in sports clubs in Iraq and to examine its outcomes. Sustainable development in sports encompasses the coordinated utilization of economic, social, and environmental resources to ensure the long-term viability of sports activities. The research employed a mixed-methods exploratory design, including qualitative semi-structured interviews with experts, club managers, and sports policymakers (n=26) and a quantitative survey of managers, faculty members, and specialists (n=384). Data analysis involved thematic coding for qualitative data and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) for quantitative evaluation.
Findings revealed that sustainable development in Iraqi sports clubs is influenced by multiple interrelated dimensions, including strategic management and governance, financial and economic resource optimization, human resource development, social engagement, technology and innovation adoption, brand and reputation enhancement, infrastructure development, environmental considerations, and continuous monitoring and evaluation. The implementation of these factors leads to improved managerial performance, increased resource efficiency, enhanced stakeholder satisfaction, social cohesion, economic and employment opportunities, and environmental sustainability.
The study highlights that achieving sustainable development requires a comprehensive, integrated approach addressing all key dimensions simultaneously. The results provide valuable guidance for managers, policymakers, and planners in designing effective strategies for sustainable sports development in Iraq and similar contexts, while contributing to the literature on sports management and sustainable development.
Abbas Hamzah, H. , Moharramzadeh, M. , nobakht, F. and Naghizadeh Baghi, A. (2026). Factors Influencing Sustainable Development Management of Sports Clubs in Iraq. Research in Sport Management and Marketing, (), -. doi: 10.22098/rsmm.2026.19356.1545
MLA
Abbas Hamzah, H. , , Moharramzadeh, M. , , nobakht, F. , and Naghizadeh Baghi, A. . "Factors Influencing Sustainable Development Management of Sports Clubs in Iraq", Research in Sport Management and Marketing, , , 2026, -. doi: 10.22098/rsmm.2026.19356.1545
HARVARD
Abbas Hamzah, H., Moharramzadeh, M., nobakht, F., Naghizadeh Baghi, A. (2026). 'Factors Influencing Sustainable Development Management of Sports Clubs in Iraq', Research in Sport Management and Marketing, (), pp. -. doi: 10.22098/rsmm.2026.19356.1545
CHICAGO
H. Abbas Hamzah , M. Moharramzadeh , F. nobakht and A. Naghizadeh Baghi, "Factors Influencing Sustainable Development Management of Sports Clubs in Iraq," Research in Sport Management and Marketing, (2026): -, doi: 10.22098/rsmm.2026.19356.1545
VANCOUVER
Abbas Hamzah, H., Moharramzadeh, M., nobakht, F., Naghizadeh Baghi, A. Factors Influencing Sustainable Development Management of Sports Clubs in Iraq. Research in Sport Management and Marketing, 2026; (): -. doi: 10.22098/rsmm.2026.19356.1545
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