Lived Experiences of Afghan Refugee Athletes Regarding Barriers to Sports Participation

Background and Purpose
According to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, approximately 25 million refugees were recorded worldwide in 2017. Of these, 68% originated from just five countries: Syria, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar, and Somalia. Key host countries include Turkey, Pakistan, Uganda, Lebanon, and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Among these, the migration of Afghans over the past three decades stands out as one of the largest in modern history. Afghanistan has endured prolonged war, political instability, and insecurity, resulting in the displacement of millions, many of whom have sought refuge in neighboring countries, particularly Iran and Pakistan.
In Iran, the Afghan immigrant population surged to two million by 1986 and peaked at three million in 1991. Despite government efforts since the early 2000s to encourage repatriation, unofficial estimates suggest that nearly three million Afghan refugees currently reside in Iran. Refugees bring with them their customs, religions, and political beliefs, which often clash with those of the host society, creating challenges to integration. These challenges include racial, ethnic, religious, cultural, and political differences that can hinder refugees’ full participation in social life.
One recent initiative aimed at empowering refugees and mitigating their challenges is the promotion of exercise and physical activity. However, in Iran, the participation of refugees in sports has not been systematically examined. In particular, the barriers faced by Afghan refugees in accessing and engaging in sports activities remain largely unexplored. Understanding these barriers is crucial, as sports can play a vital role in fostering community integration, improving mental health, and promoting physical well-being among refugees. This study aims to identify the barriers to sports participation for Afghan refugees in Iran, providing insights to inform policies and programs that encourage their active involvement in sports and physical activities. By addressing these barriers, a more inclusive environment can be fostered, enhancing the quality of life and social integration of Afghan refugees within Iranian society.
Methods
This qualitative study adopted a phenomenological approach to explore the lived experiences of Afghan refugee athletes regarding barriers to sports participation. Participants were selected through snowball sampling, using a homogeneous sampling approach combined with maximum diversity to capture a broad range of perspectives. Thirteen Afghan refugee athletes residing in Tehran province participated in the study. Data collection occurred in 2020 through in-depth interviews lasting 45 to 60 minutes each, designed to elicit detailed narratives about their experiences.
Qualitative data were analyzed using latent content analysis. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and systematically coded. To ensure rigor and reliability, Guba and Lincoln’s (1994) criteria were applied. Inter-subject agreement reliability was assessed, yielding an overall reliability of 85% across three selected interviews. Additionally, interpretive structural modeling (ISM) was employed to categorize and hierarchize the identified barriers. Seven experts familiar with the research topic were engaged to assist in applying this modeling technique.
Results
The study sample comprised thirteen Afghan refugee athletes, including seven men and six women. Analysis of the interviews revealed nine main categories of barriers to sports participation: economic, racism, personal, cultural, social, family, managerial, media and information, legal, and ethnic interaction. Using interpretive structural modeling, these barriers were organized into hierarchical levels, culminating in a comprehensive model. The analysis identified legal barriers as the most critical and influential impediments to Afghan refugees’ participation in sports in Iran.
Conclusion
The findings underscore the primacy of legal issues as a key barrier to sports participation among Afghan refugees. Castles (2003) posits that the experience of immigrants in host countries can be conceptualized along a spectrum: at one end, ease of residence, citizenship rights, acceptance of diversity, and formation of ethnic communities facilitate inclusion within a multicultural society; at the other, denial of residence permits, citizenship, and cultural acceptance results in marginalized ethnic minorities whose presence is often viewed as divisive. In Iran, restrictive legal frameworks have contributed to Afghan refugees being positioned as ethnic minorities, limiting their acceptance and integration into society.
Overall, the development of refugee sports participation appears to be contingent upon legal reforms. Amending restrictive laws and reducing barriers would enhance access to sports facilities and communities, enable freedom in choosing sports types and participation modes, and promote partnership and community development. Such changes would foster a more inclusive sporting environment, empowering Afghan refugees and supporting their social integration.
Article Message
This article identifies the multifaceted barriers to sports participation faced by Afghan refugees in Iran, highlighting legal, economic, and cultural obstacles as the primary challenges. Addressing these barriers through supportive policies—such as allocating resources for refugee sports development and organizing joint sports events—can facilitate greater participation. Legal reforms are pivotal; by amending laws and easing restrictions, access to sports facilities and communities will improve, freedom of participation will expand, and overall engagement will be enhanced