Interrogating the motivations of sport for development and peace practitioners

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to interrogate the motivations of sport for development and peace (SDP) practitioners for initially becoming involved in the field and to better understand their involvement over time. Specifically, this study aimed to identify key characteristics and motives of practitioners to gain further understanding of the implementation, execution, and approach of SDP programs and whether or not evangelical rhetoric and neocolonialism were reflected in these approaches. Findings revealed that practitioners were initially motivated by love of sport, the desire to make a difference in the world, and to seek out new experiences. Practitioners stayed involved over time due to fulfillment and satisfaction with their work and the continued desire to make a difference. While many practitioners had moved past evangelical rhetoric and neocolonialism, evangelical rhetoric was still reflective in just less than half of the motivations of practitioners from higher-income countries (HIC) and lower to middle income countries, while 40 percent of participants primarily from HIC reflected a neocolonial approach in their motives. Implications for theory and SDP policy are illuminated.

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