Sport as a Tool for International Relations: Case Study of Ugandan Sport Leaders

Abstract

While Uganda’s participation in sports at international level is growing, the country’s relation with other countries is not improving accordingly). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether Uganda sport leaders believe that sport could be used as a tool for the development of international relations of the country. Purposive sampling was used to identify elected and paid sport leaders at all levels in sport organizations in Uganda and invite them to participate in the study. The semi-structured interview method was employed. The results revealed that Ugandan sport leaders believe that sports: a) play a key role in promoting relations with other countries, b) contribute in creating opportunities for Ugandans to conduct businesses with other countries, c) increase the awareness about the country and d) attract tourists, improving the country’s foreign exchange.

Keywords

• sports
• Uganda
• international relations
• diplomacy
• communication

Uluslararası İlişkiler Aracı Olarak Spor: Ugandalı Spor Liderlerinin Örnek Olay İncelemesi

Abstract

Uganda’nın uluslararası düzeyde spora katılımı artarken, ülkenin diğer ülkelerle ilişkileri aynı düzeyde iyileşmemektedir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, Uganda spor liderlerinin, sporun ülkenin uluslararası ilişkilerinin geliştirilmesi için bir araç olarak kullanılabileceğine inanıp inanmadığını araştırmaktır. Uganda'daki spor organizasyonlarında her seviyedeki seçilmiş ve ücretli spor liderlerini belirlemek ve onları çalışmaya katılmaya davet etmek için amaçlı örnekleme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Son noktada örneklem 38 spor liderinden oluşmuştur. Araştırmada yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme yöntemi kullanılmıştır. Veriler bir kayıt cihazı kullanılarak toplandı. Kayıtlar, detaylı bir şekilde çalışılabilmesi, analitik notlarla ilişkilendirilebilmesi ve kodlanabilmesi için yazılı hale getirildi. Metinler, içeriği doğrulamak için araştırmadaki katılımcılara gönderildi. Onaylarının alınması üzerine, verilerin kategorize edilmesini ve uygun kategoriye eklenmesini içeren niteliksel analiz gerçekleştirildi. Gerektiğinde, yorumu güçlendirmek için katılımcılardan alıntılar kullanılmıştır. Sonuçlar Ugandalı spor liderlerinin sporun a) diğer ülkelerle ilişkileri geliştirmede kilit bir rol oynadığına, b) Ugandalıların diğer ülkelerle iş yapmaları için fırsatlar yaratmaya katkıda bulunduğuna, c) ülke hakkında farkındalığı artırdığına ve d) turist çekerek ülkenin döviz durumunu iyileştirdiğine inandıklarını ortaya koymuştur.

Keywords

• Spor
• Uganda
• Uluslararası ilişkiler
• Diplomasi
• İletişim.

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