factors influencing the professional pathway of athletes with disabilities (a study on sports policies and the role of stakeholders)

Purpose: the professional pathway of athletes with disabilities is influenced by a set of structural, individual, and social factors. macro-level sports policies, the role of federations and executive bodies, family support and the social environment, the competence of coaches, appropriate sports infrastructure, and media representation are among the factors that can either facilitate or hinder the development of this pathway. the aim of this study is to identify and analyze these factors through a qualitative and explanatory approach. method: the objective of this research is to explore the factors influencing the professional pathway of athletes with disabilities (a study on sports policies and the role of stakeholders). this study was conducted using a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. the research sample included senior managers of the ministry of sports and youth, specialists in disability sports, and current and former paralympic and para-asian athletes. fifteen participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling methods. data collection was performed via semi-structured interviews, and data analysis was carried out using maxqda version 20 software. results: the findings revealed that the professional pathway of athletes with disabilities is affected by factors such as the presence or absence of macro-level supportive policies, the performance and level of support provided by federations and executive bodies, emotional and financial support from families and the social environment, the effective role of coaches and sports facilitators, the quality and accessibility of specialized sports infrastructure, and the extent and manner of media representation. each of these factors can create either significant opportunities or barriers to the professional advancement of athletes with disabilities. conclusion: the results of this study indicate that the development of the professional pathway for athletes with disabilities requires clear supportive policies, active federations, supportive families, specialized coaches, adequate infrastructure, and effective media presence. the absence of long-term planning, weak inter-institutional coordination, and lack of financial resources were identified as major obstacles. therefore, to enhance the professional career pathways of athletes with disabilities, more comprehensive policies must be developed, the role of executive bodies should be strengthened, and public awareness and attitudes toward disability sports must be improved.