The Role of Sports Clubs in Promoting Social Integration among People with Disabilities in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Recently, interest in sports has increased due to its benefits for growth and development. People with disabilities face many challenges when engaging in sports compared to their peers without disabilities due to stigma and socio-cultural prejudices directed against them. Despite the important role that sports clubs may play in promoting social inclusion, few studies in Saudi Arabia have focused on this population. Hence, this study was one of the first to examine the role of sports clubs in promoting social integration among people with disabilities in Saudi society and the effect of demographic and social factors on social integration among people with disabilities recruited from sports clubs in southern Saudi Arabia. The sample included 205 disabled adults aged 18-40 years (M = 29.8 years; SD = 3.82 years). Data were collected using a social inclusion questionnaire for people with disabilities. About 51% of disabled people had low, and 13.17% had high social integration. The levels of social inclusion varied by gender, age, type of disability, academic level, and duration of participation in the club. These findings highlight the need to develop appropriate strategies to enhance the role of sports clubs in promoting the social inclusion of individuals with disabilities. More active efforts should also be made to provide professional coaches with the funds and facilities necessary for the effective operation of sports clubs.