A mixed methods analysis of socio-cultural and structural barriers in Bangladesh sports

Drawing on an analysis of eight crucial aspects of sports policies relating to sports infrastructure, administration and management, talent identification, athlete accommodation, athlete training and coaching, funding for athletes, participation in sports, and sports science, which have informed this study. The study investigates the evolution and implementation of sports policies in Bangladesh. Adopting a mixed-methods methodology, data were collected from 21 districts via administrators, coaches, and players and descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data and were validated with advanced tools like R Studio and IBM SPSS. The findings identify key challenges related to infrastructure deficits, budgetary mismanagement, and a lack of developed talent pathways, which help connect policy elements with stakeholder perceptions. The in-depth study presents a list of action-oriented recommendations that accommodate infrastructure modernization, financial governance reforms, and talent ecosystem development to bridge the gap between Bangladesh’s sports policies and international benchmarks and develop a sustainable sports culture. This study adds to the global conversation on data for sports policy planning and decision-making, contributing especially to the emerging sphere in developing countries.