Investigating the Barriers to the Presence of Muslim Women in International Sports Fields with the PESTEL Approach

This study examines the barriers preventing Muslim women from participating in international sports events, a critical issue given the growing societal importance of women's roles in Muslim societies. The aim of the present study was to investigate the barriers to the presence of Muslim women in international sports fields with the PESTEL approach. The research method was mixed and of a sequential exploratory type. The research tool in the qualitative section was semi-structured interviews with experts, researchers, and coaches in the field of women's sports. The sampling method was purposeful and the sample size was determined based on the principle of theoretical saturation. The reliability of the interviews was confirmed through a survey of 10 experts in the field of sports management and the reliability was confirmed through the agreement method of two coders. The findings showed that the lack of sponsors with an average of 4.8, lower wages for women with an average of 4.7, and the lack of supportive laws for sending women's teams to sports competitions with an average of 4.6 were the highest priorities. According to the findings, it is suggested that by broadcasting Muslim women's competitions in international sports arenas, the motivation of sponsors to support them will increase. The findings of this study can also help improve the reputation and status of Iranian women in sports in the country and inspire young girls in Iran and Muslim countries.