The role of an ethnic sporting event in post-COVID-19 recovery: revitalizing minds through promotive factors and resilience

Purpose The 2023 Korean American National Sports Festival served as a platform to showcase participants' resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath as well as to promote resilience. Employing the compensatory model of resilience theory, this study aimed to examine how an ethnic sporting event's promotive factors, including ethnic identity and perceived benefits, are associated with participants' resilience to COVID-19 and their mental health. Design/methodology/approach Five researchers employed a convenience sampling approach for on-site data collection at the 2023 Korean American National Sports Festival in New York City, held from June 23 to 25, 2023. A self-administered survey resulted in 193 usable responses from Korean Americans, with the data analyzed using structural equation modeling. Findings The results indicated that ethnic identity had a positive influence on perceived community resilience, which in turn led to increased subjective well-being. In addition, the physical health benefits of the event enhanced both individual and community resilience and reduced anxiety levels. Community resilience has a mediating role in the relationship between ethnic identity and subjective well-being. Originality/value This study demonstrates that ethnic sporting events not only serve as platforms for cultural cohesion but also function as vital tools for promoting mental health within diasporic communities. As small- and medium-scale ethnic sports festivals continue to evolve, ensuring their social inclusivity and expanding collaboration with regional ethnic organizations will be key strategies for enhancing the mobilization of ethnic resources and sustaining community well-being.