Talent management in the sports sector
Keywords:
Talent management, talented athletes, performance development, sports organizationsAbstract
Talent management in the sports sector plays a crucial role in the identification, development, and retention of talented athletes, significantly contributing to the success of sports organizations and teams. This process involves recognizing potential abilities, designing training and motivational programs, continuously evaluating performance, and creating professional growth pathways for athletes. Recent studies indicate that the adoption of talent management systems enhances team efficiency, reduces athlete attrition, and improves the competitive level of sports organizations. On the other hand, challenges such as limited resources, insufficient early identification of talent, and the lack of adequate support structures can reduce the effectiveness of talent management. This study aims to examine the principles, models, and effective strategies for managing athlete talent by analyzing successful experiences at national and international levels. The results show that combining scientific approaches in selecting and developing athletes, fostering motivation in supportive environments, and using modern technologies to monitor performance are key factors in successful sports talent management. Findings also highlight the importance of interaction among managers, coaches, and athletes in creating a dynamic and sustainable ecosystem for talent development. Finally, it is recommended that sports organizations establish comprehensive policies and long-term plans to continuously nurture and develop athletic talent.
Downloads
References
[1] Y. Hassan, J. Pandey, B. Varkkey, D. Sethi, H. Scullion, and M. Hurst, "Understanding talent management for sports organizationsEvidence from an emerging country 7 STAMINA: A SUSTAINABILITY ASSESSMENT TOOL FOR INTERNATIONAL SPORTS
FEDERATIONS," The International Journal of Human Resource Management, vol. 33, no. 11, pp. 2192-2225, 2022, doi:
10.1080/09585192.2021.1971736.
[2] M. Tahmasbpour Shafiei, S. M. H. Razavi, S. Amirnejad, M. Doosti, and S. E. Hosseini, "Development of a comprehensive football
talent identification management model in Iran," Journal of Sports Management, vol. 17, no. 1, pp. 19-44, 2025, doi:
10.22059/jsm.2021.311639.2595.
[3] A. G. Khan, S. Banik, M. A. Uddin, and S. Moudud-Ul-Huq, "Unlocking the Relationship Between Talent Management Practices and
Performance Sustainability in the Sports Industry," International Journal of Asian Business and Information Management (IJABIM),
vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 366-380, 2021, doi: 10.4018/IJABIM.20210701.oa22.
[4] H. Abdoljabbar, "The application of talent management strategies in the departments of physical education and sports sciences in the
Iraqi private colleges from the point of view of the teaching staff"," Wasit Journal of Sports Sciences, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 141-153, 08/06
2022, doi: 10.31185/wjoss.52.
[5] R. Cury, P. Sotiriadou, and M. Kennelly, "Talent transfer: a complementary elite sport development pathway," Management of Sport
and Leisure, vol. 29, no. 2, pp. 310-323, 2024, doi: 10.1080/23750472.2022.2033638.
[6] M. Rok, E. Shah Mansouri, and H. Foroughi Pour, "Designing a National Model for Sports Talent Identification with a Focus on MedalWinning Disciplines (Case Study: Wrestling)," Sports Management Journal, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 817-832, 2021. [Online]. Available:
https://www.sid.ir/fa/journal/ViewPaper.aspx?id=578755.Future of Work and Digital Management Journal 4:3 (2025) 1-13
12
[7] R. Nazari and S. Tabesh, "Challenges of Sports Development in Iran with a Talent Identification and Elite Development Approach,"
Sports Management and Development, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1-14, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://en.civilica.com/doc/1997378/.
[8] R. Nazari and S. Tabesh, "Challenges of Sports Development in Iran with an Approach to Talent Identification and Greenhouse Elite
Development," Sport Management and Development, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 1-14, 2019.
[9] A. A. Ahmadi, A. F. Farahani, A. Bahmani Chobesti, and M. Shahbazi, "The Role of Social Capital in Improving Talent Management
in the Physical Education Organization," Journal of Sports Management Studies, vol. 13, pp. 260-237, 2012.
[10] M. Pourkiani, M. Hamidi, M. Goodarzi, and M. Khabiri, "Analyzing the role of championship and professional sport on sport
development," Sport Management Studies, vol. 9, no. 42, pp. 55-72, 2017, doi: 10.22089/smrj.2017.454.1143.
[11] J. Giahshenasbonbazari, A. Saee, S. Zibakalam, and H. R. Malekmohamedi, "Sports Policy-Making in Iran emphasizing Multiple
Decision making Referential," Contemporary Studies On Sport Management, vol. 9, no. 18, pp. 65-76, 2020, doi:
10.22084/smms.2020.20892.2512.
[12] M. Mortezaeian, Z. S. Mirzazadeh, M. Keshtidar, and M. Talebpour, "Present a model of sports talent management of Iranian students
based on grounded theory," Journal of Strategic Sociological Studies in Sport, vol. 2, no. 4, pp. 389-400, 2023.
[13] R. Zaheri, S. J. Moosavi, and F. Emami, "Identify effective factors On Talent management in the Ministry of Sports and Youth of the
Islamic Republic of Iran," (in eng), New Trends in Sport Management, Research vol. 10, no. 36, pp. 163-175, 2022. [Online]. Available:
http://ntsmj.issma.ir/article-1-1762-en.html.
[14] A. H. Salman Al-Oda, M. Sadeghi, R. H. A. Al-Murshidi, and S. Sharifi, "Investigating the Relationship Between Talent Management
Implementation Categories in the Basra Province Education Organization," (in eng), Iranian Journal of Educational Sociology, Research
Article vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 1-9, 2024, doi: 10.61838/kman.ijes.7.1.1.
[15] D. Haidar Eissa, K. Abdovi, M. R. Khodadi, M. Hamidi, and Z. Abdul, "The impact of time management and the quality of the talent
development system in volleyball on stakeholder satisfaction in Iraq," Scientific Journal of Applied Research in Sports Management,
2023. [Online]. Available: https://arsmb.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_10048.html.
[16] E. Shahgholi, M. Salimi, R. Nazari, and J. Mohammadi, "Presenting a Talent Management Model for Sports Organizations in Line with
the COVID-19 Pandemic," Journal of Business in Sports, vol. 2, no. 2, pp. 85-106, 2022. [Online]. Available:
https://elmnet.ir/article/2611708-71501/.
[17] F. Pajouhan, M. Soltan Hosseini, M. Naderian Jahromi, and S. Jahaniyan, "Providing a Dynamic Talent Management Model for
Foresight Policy-Making (Case Study: Ministry of Sports and Youth)," Sports Management Journal, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 57-74, 2024.
[Online]. Available: https://jsm.ut.ac.ir/article_96288.html.
[18] Z. Asghari and M. Sadeghi, "Providing a Model of the Impact of Knowledge Management and Talent Management on the Performance
of Football Coaches in West Azerbaijan Province," Studies in Organizational Behavior Management in Sports, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 103-
116, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://fmss.journals.pnu.ac.ir/article_10951.html.
[19] F. Jalalian Javadpour, S. Azadfada, F. Ashraf Ganjoui, and M. Safari, "Developing a Talent Management Model in Racket Sports Using
Grounded Theory," Research in Sports Management and Motor Behavior, vol. 13, no. 26, pp. 31-56, 2023, doi:
10.61186/JRSM.13.26.31.
[20] S. Abdoli, H. Rahmani, and G. Memarzadeh Tehran, "Designing a diversity-oriented human resource management model to utilize
talented young elites for Iranian governmental organizations," Strategic Studies of Sport and Youth, vol. 22, no. 60, pp. 551-572, 2023.
[Online]. Available: https://faslname.msy.gov.ir/article_601.html?lang=en.
[21] S. Abdoli, H. Rahmani, and G. Memarzadeh Tehran, "Diversity-Oriented Human Resource Management for Leveraging Talented Youth
in Iranian Public Organizations," Sports and Youth Strategic Studies, vol. 22, no. 60, pp. 551-572, 2023. [Online]. Available:
https://asm.pgu.ac.ir/article_706210.html?lang=en.
[22] M. H. Khoram, A. R. Omidi, and S. Safari, "Effect of Talent Management on Innovative Performance through Resilience (Case Study:
General Department of Sports and Youth of Fars Province)," Human Resource Management in Sports, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 183-203, 2020,
doi: 10.22044/SHM.2022.11096.2382.Future of Work and Digital Management Journal 4:3 (2025) 1-13
13
[23] S. Rezaie and M. Salehipour, "Analysis of Effective Factors in Development of Iran Sport Industry using Grounded Theory Approach,"
Human Resource Management in Sports, vol. 6, no. 1, pp. 89-107, 2018, doi: 10.22044/shm.2019.7342.1790.
[24] V. Naseri Palangard, S. Bahrami, S. Zardoshtian, and B. Yousefi, "Designing a Family-School Support Model for Developing Sports
Talents: A Grounded Theory Study," Health Promotion Management Quarterly, vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 74-90, 2020. [Online]. Available:
https://civilica.com/doc/1357408/.
[25] A. Norozi, A. Maleki, M. Parsamehr, and H. Ghasemi, "Investigating the effect of body image and body management on women's sports
participation in Ilam province," Journal of Applied Sociology, vol. 29, no. 4, pp. 99-122, 2018, doi: 10.22108/jas.2018.104379.1117.
[26] K. Mousavi Cheshmekabodi, M. Hekak, R. Sepahvand, and A. Nazarpouri, "Explaining the factors affecting global talent management
with an emphasis on human capital development in sports organizations in Iran," Studies in Sports Management, vol. 13, no. 66, pp.
327-362, 2021, doi: 10.22089/smrj.2020.7959.2750.
[27] T. Moyo, R. G. Duffett, and B. Knott, "An Analysis of Cause-Related and Social Marketing Strategies in the South African Sport
Management Industry," Sage Open, vol. 12, no. 2, p. 215824402211081, 2022, doi: 10.1177/21582440221108181.
[28] P. Abrefam, G. Kargar, H. Henari, G. Shabani Bahar, and F. Afouri, "Designing a talent management model for table tennis in Iran,"
Sports Management Studies, vol. 4, no. 5, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://smrj.ssrc.ac.ir/article_3547.html?lang=en.
[29] M. Noori and H. Sadeghi, "A Review of Sport Talent Identification Studies," Sport Management Journal, vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 400-387,
2018. [Online]. Available: https://jsm.ut.ac.ir/article_70351_en.html.
[30] A. Talebzadeh, A. Farahani, A. M. Safania, and A. M. Amir Tash, "Designing a sports talent management model in schools," Research
in Educational SportsVL - 5, no. 11, pp. 45-75, 2023. [Online]. Available:
https://res.ssrc.ac.ir/article_4090_3e5a2267bc1137034de25e55dce82546.pdf.
[31] A. Talebzadeh, A. Farahani, A. M. Safania, and A. M. Amir Tash, "Designing a Talent Management Model for Sports in Schools,"
Research in Educational Sports, vol. 12, no. 34, pp. 53-68, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://res.ssrc.ac.ir/article_4090.html.
Downloads
Published
Submitted
Revised
Accepted
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Ahmed Hadi Hashim AlMadney, Amin Dehghan Ghahfarokhi (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.