Managing Sport in Basic Education and Higher Education Commissions for National Sports Development

Abstract

This research aimed to study and to analyze the structures and strategies as well as propose management guidelines in educational institutes for national sports development.  The sample groups comprised the executive members of educational institutions, administrators from sport organizations, professors who are experts in the sport and management field from China, Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei and USA, members of the FISU/EduC Commission, and top athletes who are now studying in educational institutes. A total of 91 samples were selected using the purposive sampling technique.

The results found that the structure of institutions were aligned with the national standard determined by the Ministry of Education. The educational institutes must have strong and serious management of sport in 5 functions of management: planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and evaluating. The government should set national sport development as a “National Agenda” in order to embed the concept of being good citizens in all students. In educational institutions where there are talented athletes, this agenda should foster, support and develop them to achieve their maximum potential both in academics and sport, that is to have excellent careers and become professionals in sport. From this point of view, Thailand needs to establish a “National Sport University” as a strong foundation of national sports development. This type of specialized university would be able to produce sport personal in every aspect of sport and to support and develop athletes to achieve their maximum potential both in academics and sport to promote excellence in their future careers and to help them achieve the professional level in sport.