Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Department of Sport Management, Sport Sciences Research Institute, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Background and Purpose
This study proposes a comprehensive model for sustainable revenue generation in the General Directorate of Physical Education within Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. The goal is to decrease the country's heavy dependence on governmental funding in the sports sector. Globally, sports have become an influential industry that substantially impacts national gross domestic product (GDP), necessitating consistent income streams to ensure organizational independence, resilience, and long-term growth. In Iran, however, sports funding remains predominantly reliant on state resources, restricting innovation, expansion, and autonomy. The institutional oversight of student sports has encountered severe financial constraints, underscoring the urgent need to innovate alternative revenue sources. This research assesses existing capacities, identifies primary barriers, and highlights success factors, offering a scientific and practical framework for financial sustainability. Strategic suggestions include boosting private sector participation, enhancing marketing practices, and optimizing the use of sports facilities. Effective implementation of these strategies promises to improve the quality and visibility of student sports and broaden participation. The findings aim to guide policymakers and university sports managers in developing strategic plans to reduce reliance on governmental budgets, with the model serving as a reference across Iran’s sports organizations toward fostering financial resilience, efficient resource management, and socio-economic contributions. Ultimately, the study underscores that sustainable revenue generation is essential not only for advancing student sports but also for positioning sports as a significant driver of national development and social engagement.
Materials and Methods
This qualitative study utilized Glaser’s grounded theory approach to develop a scalable model for revenue generation within the context of university sports. The research involved experts in sports management, officials from the Directorate, sports marketing specialists, former managers, and financial support professionals. A purposive sampling method facilitated 15 semi-structured interviews over two months, continuing until data saturation was achieved. Validity was bolstered through expert reviews, while criteria such as acceptability, transferability, and verifiability directed the data analysis process. Reliability testing via test-retest and intra-subject agreement yielded a coefficient of 76.9%, confirming dependable coding. Data coding involved open, selective, and theoretical stages, which initially identified and categorized concepts into key themes, culminating in the development of a paradigm model. The results indicated that achieving sustainable revenue depends on structural supports, engaging the private sector, advancing sports marketing, and establishing a data-driven scientific system. Background and Purpose
This study proposes a comprehensive model for sustainable revenue generation in the General Directorate of Physical Education within Iran’s Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. The goal is to decrease the country's heavy dependence on governmental funding in the sports sector. Globally, sports have become an influential industry that substantially impacts national gross domestic product (GDP), necessitating consistent income streams to ensure organizational independence, resilience, and long-term growth. In Iran, however, sports funding remains predominantly reliant on state resources, restricting innovation, expansion, and autonomy. The institutional oversight of student sports has encountered severe financial constraints, underscoring the urgent need to innovate alternative revenue sources. This research assesses existing capacities, identifies primary barriers, and highlights success factors, offering a scientific and practical framework for financial sustainability. Strategic suggestions include boosting private sector participation, enhancing marketing practices, and optimizing the use of sports facilities. Effective implementation of these strategies promises to improve the quality and visibility of student sports and broaden participation. The findings aim to guide policymakers and university sports managers in developing strategic plans to reduce reliance on governmental budgets, with the model serving as a reference across Iran’s sports organizations toward fostering financial resilience, efficient resource management, and socio-economic contributions. Ultimately, the study underscores that sustainable revenue generation is essential not only for advancing student sports but also for positioning sports as a significant driver of national development and social engagement.
Materials and Methods
This qualitative study utilized Glaser’s grounded theory approach to develop a scalable model for revenue generation within the context of university sports. The research involved experts in sports management, officials from the Directorate, sports marketing specialists, former managers, and financial support professionals. A purposive sampling method facilitated 15 semi-structured interviews over two months, continuing until data saturation was achieved. Validity was bolstered through expert reviews, while criteria such as acceptability, transferability, and verifiability directed the data analysis process. Reliability testing via test-retest and intra-subject agreement yielded a coefficient of 76.9%, confirming dependable coding. Data coding involved open, selective, and theoretical stages, which initially identified and categorized concepts into key themes, culminating in the development of a paradigm model. The results indicated that achieving sustainable revenue depends on structural supports, engaging the private sector, advancing sports marketing, and establishing a data-driven scientific system. The validated model offers practical insights for policymakers and university sports managers to diminish dependence on government funding while promoting sustainable development.
Findings
The research aimed to develop a model for sustainable revenue in the General Directorate of Physical Education, focusing on reducing reliance on public funds. Data derived from semi-structured interviews and analyzed through Glaser’s grounded theory yielded 743 initial concepts, refined to 111 codes and ultimately grouped into 12 core categories. The final model emphasizes 12 axes: formulating a coherent marketing and revenue plan, reforming legal frameworks, creating autonomous budget lines, leveraging affiliated organizational facilities, employing specialized human resources, resource management and cost-saving measures, reforming approaches to student sports events, fostering cooperation with universities in budgeting, utilizing legal capacities, applying scientific marketing principles, shifting managers' perceptions regarding sponsorship, and promoting a sports culture within the academic community. The model underscores a synergy between legal structures, financial facets, human resources, and innovative marketing strategies to minimize dependence on government funding, enhance private sector involvement, and foster the financial resilience of university sports—facilitating long-term sustainability and socio-economic contributions.
Conclusion
This study aimed to design a comprehensive framework for sustainable revenue generation in Iran’s university sports, addressing overdependence on government resources. With a qualitative methodology grounded in Glaser’s theory, data collection through expert interviews led to the development of a model based on 12 critical categories. The results advocate for diversified funding sources, inclusive legal reforms, strategic marketing, and resource optimization to diminish state reliance and promote the economic sustainability of university sports. The proposed model acts as a strategic guide for policymakers and sports managers to implement a resilient, data-informed financial strategy aligned with broader societal and economic goals.
Article Message
The core message emphasizes that sustainable revenue in student sports does not necessarily depend on government funding, but can be achieved through a scientific and strategic approach. This involves attracting sponsors, amending laws, leveraging the media, and encouraging private sector investment—ultimately ensuring financial sustainability, infrastructural development, and elevating the status of student sports at the national level.
Funding
This research was supported financially by the General Directorate of Physical Education, Student Affairs Organization.
Authors’ Contributions
The corresponding author served as the project manager for this research.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
Acknowledgments
We extend our sincere gratitude to the General Directorate of Physical Education, the Ministry of Science, and the Research Institute of Physical Education and Sports Sciences for their continued support. The validated model offers practical insights for policymakers and university sports managers to diminish dependence on government funding while promoting sustainable development.
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