Directions for National Sports Development in line with Thailand’s National Strategies for Professional Sports Excellence and the Sports Industry

Abstract

             The research titled “Directions for National Sports Development in line with Thailand’s National Strategies for  Professional Sports Excellence and the Sports Industry” aimed to 1) study the implementation of Version 6 (2017-2021) of the National Sports Development Plan; 2) to analyze weaknesses, strengths and problems concerning the national sports development plan under National Strategies for Professional Sports Excellence and the Sports Industry and 3) to study the improvement of the sports development plan in response to National Strategies for Professional Sports Excellence and the Sports Industry. This qualitative research employed methods of in-depth interviews and focus group with 35 principal informants. The data was subjected to content analysis. The study revealed the following findings:

1. Concerning the study of the implementation of Version 6 (2017-2021) of the National Sports Development Plan, there was , as a whole, no continuity in the implementation for sustained sports development.
2. Concerning the analysis of weaknesses, strengths and problems relating to Thailand’s sports development plan under National Strategies for Professional Sports Excellence and the Sports Industry, there were no continuity for sustained sports development, no adequate plans to accommodate professional athletes, and insufficient training to improve trainers’ efficiency.
3. Concerning improvement of the sports development plan in response to National Strategies for Professional Sports Excellence and the Sports Industry, there was a lack of professional development owing to a failure to take into account changing global conditions affecting sports development.