Good Governance Elements in Sport International Relations of Iran

The study is to identify the factors that influence on the sport international relations in Iran, in view of Good Governance principles. The data collection method in this research was descriptive which was conducted as a field work in major domain of the two main national sport governing system, namely the Ministry of Sport and Youth (as the public sector) and Iranian National Olympic Committee (as the non-governmental sector). In addition, the present study was an applied cross-sectional survey in terms of time and nature of research method. The research method was mixed, using Delphi technique and confirmatory factor analysis “CFA”. The statistical population consisted of the Ministry of Sport and Youth, as the public governmental sector and Iranian National Olympic Committee as the non-governmental sector. Sampling was done in both sections in total, and finally 150 correct, full-completed questionnaires were analyzed. The research tools included review of documents, semi-structured interviews, and a researcher-made questionnaire based on the "Global Basic Principles of Good Governance in the Olympics and Sports Organizations" provided by the IOC (2008). The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed through the related tests (Lawshe method, Cronbach’s Alpha) by experts. After data collection, they were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods by SPSS21 and PLS version 3 statistical packages. The results showed the model fit indices have acceptable and desirable value and the research model is confirmed (RMSEA=0/069 and CFI=0/918). The highest factor loadings were related to “integrity and independency” (λ=0/866), then Transparency (λ=0/850), responsibility (λ=0/793), Discipline (λ=0/781), Accountability (λ=0/709), Rule of law (λ=0/651), and Participation and Democracy (λ= 0/613). The present results may help the national sport system to find the priorities of International Relations based upon the G.G factors to prevent the loss of tangible and intangible assets in this area.