Sport for Development and COVID-19: Responding to Change and Participant Needs

Area of Science:

• Sociology of Sport
• International Development
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented global challenges.
• Sport for Development (SFD) programs faced significant disruptions impacting participants and organizational operations.
• Understanding these impacts is crucial for program adaptation and sustainability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the impacts of COVID-19 on individual participants within a hybrid SFD organization.
• To analyze how emergent participant needs influenced organizational responses.
• To identify practical implications for SFD programs during crises.

Main Methods:

• A case study approach was employed, focusing on Highway of Hope (HOH), a hybrid SFD organization in Kenya.
• Data collection included journal responses from youth participants and program leadership, alongside field and meeting notes.
• Thematic analysis was used to identify key challenges, experiences, and coping mechanisms.

Main Results:

• Participant experiences varied, with positive themes like 'Family Time' and 'Rest,' and negative themes including 'Restriction of Activity' and 'Difficulty at Home.'
• Overall impacts on participants were categorized as Socio-emotional, Physical, and Sport-Specific.
• HOH leadership demonstrated adaptive strategies to address emergent participant needs.

Conclusions:

• SFD organizations require adaptive leadership and flexible programming to navigate crises.
• Addressing socio-emotional and physical well-being is paramount for participants during disruptions.
• The study offers valuable insights for grassroots and hybrid SFD programs facing unprecedented challenges.