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Insider Perspectives on Saudi Arabia’s Fakher Disability Sports Programme

Author

Listed:
  • Majed M. Alhumaid

    (Department of Physical Education, College of Education, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia)

  • Mark Brooke

    (University Town Writing Programme, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117511, Singapore)

  • Selina Khoo

    (Centre for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia)

Abstract

In recent years, Saudi Arabia has made many efforts to support people with disabilities. One of these efforts is the Fakher Programme Initiative. The programme provides substantial financial support and training for around 350 para-athletes with physical disabilities or cerebral palsy. This research sought to provide a thick description of the programme’s aims, its successes, and the challenges faced, based on the reports of significant stakeholders. In-depth interviews with 26 participants from different stakeholder groups (para-athletes, coaches, administrators, para-athlete families, individuals interested in para-sports, and the CEO of the Fakher Programme) were conducted individually to provide rich insider perspectives. An interpretive phenomenological analysis approach was applied to analyse the interviews. Two main dimensions were identified: (i) the positive impacts of the Fakher Programme Initiative and (ii) further recommended improvements to the Fakher Programme Initiative. Although most of the participants expressed positive perspectives on the programme (e.g., developing collaboration, health benefits, infrastructural support, and raising awareness of people with disabilities), improvements can be made in the form of psychological support for elite para-athletes in training and more developed national and international media coverage of disability sports in Saudi Arabia.

Suggested Citation

  • Majed M. Alhumaid & Mark Brooke & Selina Khoo, 2022. "Insider Perspectives on Saudi Arabia’s Fakher Disability Sports Programme," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-14, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:17:p:10706-:d:899922
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Giulia Oggero & Louise Puli & Emma Maria Smith & Chapal Khasnabis, 2021. "Participation and Achievement in the Summer Paralympic Games: The Influence of Income, Sex, and Assistive Technology," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-14, October.
    2. Gregor Wolbring, 2012. "Expanding Ableism: Taking down the Ghettoization of Impact of Disability Studies Scholars," Societies, MDPI, vol. 2(3), pages 1-9, July.
    3. Mark Brooke & Selina Khoo, 2021. "Insider Perspectives on the Sustainability of the Malaysian and Singaporean Paralympic Movements," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-12, May.
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