In the contemporary international environment, sport has moved beyond competition and entertainment to become an influential arena for public diplomacy, intercultural communication, image formation, and international networking. Sports diplomacy is no longer limited to symbolic governmental use of sporting success or the hosting of major events; rather, it involves a network of governmental and non-governmental actors, including sports federations, universities, athletes, students, media organizations, and international sports institutions. The diplomatic value of sport therefore depends on the extent to which sporting capacities are incorporated into coherent, continuous, and evaluable governance and policy frameworks.

The proposed model provides a structured framework through which each international activity can be linked to a specific objective, responsible institution, implementation process, and performance indicator. Its implementation can improve the federation’s competitiveness and hosting capacity, strengthen scientific and cultural exchange, expand Iran’s participation in international university sports networks, enhance organizational learning, and professionalize the management of international affairs. Rather than assuming an immediate or direct political effect, the model suggests that sustained university sports diplomacy can gradually expand informal communication channels, reduce barriers to international interaction, and strengthen Iran’s institutional presence and influence within global university sport.