Abstract
Objective: The present study intended to strategically assess the football of Guilan province based on SWOT analysis and also to plan a suitable strategy.
Methodology: This research is descriptive-analytical and functional. The statistical population of study included all Guilan province football experts, and the sample was selected out of managers, experts of organizations, schools' and universities' sport educators, and veteran players and coaches (n=50). The authors have developed a questionnaire, as an instrument, based on exploratory study and rewriting similar foundations and studies. Validity of this instrument was confirmed by experts (content validity). The reliability of the instrument was also proved as suitable (=α0.95). To analyze the data and the suitable strategies, Friedman test, Weighting Method, and external and internal factors evaluation matrix were utilized.
Results: Desirability of information technology, undesirability of the quality of football pitch, policy of privatization of clubs, and tendency of people toward inactive life style were identified respectively as the most important strong point, weak point, opportunity, and threat. According to internal factors matrix (2.38) and external factors matrix (2.49), the strategic condition of Guilan province football is in WT region.
Discussion: According to results of SWOT analysis matrix, it is necessary to employ Stability Strategy or Defensive Strategy in managing football development in Guilan province.
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