A Proposed Matrix of Sustainable Development Standards in Sports Facilities: An Analytical Vision"

Section: Physical Education and Sport Sciences
Issue
Vol. 28 No. 88 (2025): Al-Rafidain Journal for Sports Sciences
Published
Oct 24, 2025
Pages
204-225

Abstract

Ensuring the efficiency and continuity of sports facilities in serving the community is essential. This highlights the importance of developing a proposed matrix of sustainable development standards, which acts as a tool to guide and assess the performance of these facilities. Consequently, the study aimed to create a proposed matrix of sustainable development standards for sports facilities by presenting an analytical perspective based on the descriptive–analytical method and utilizing the Delphi technique to gather and evaluate the opinions of a panel of experts.


The research problem was the lack of a comprehensive normative framework that helps decision-makers implement sustainable practices in the design and operation of sports facilities within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study analyzed four main dimensions of sustainability — environmental, social, economic, and technological — to develop the matrix. It also focused on five key sustainability criteria: sustainable design and location, water conservation, energy conservation, internal efficiency, and material management.


The proposed matrix was validated by eight experts using the Delphi method over four rounds of evaluation. In the first stage, a preliminary matrix of 100 standards was created based on these dimensions and criteria. The final stage produced a refined matrix containing 99 standards.


The study concluded that adopting these standards is necessary as a guiding framework for evaluating and planning sports facilities. It recommended integrating and embedding them into the regulatory policies issued by sports authorities and generalizing their use in the processes of review, development, implementation, and operation of sports facilities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, in line with the specific context and variables of each facility. This approach aims to enhance efficiency and effectiveness while contributing to the achievement of the sustainability objectives outlined in Saudi Vision 2030.

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Authors

Fahad Bin Juwai’ed Al Ulaian

King Fahad Security College

Abdulilah Ahmed Alsalawi

King Saud University

Identifiers

https://doi.org/10.33899/rjss.v28i88.53594
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How to Cite

Bin Juwai’ed Al Ulaian ف., & Ahmed Alsalawi ع. ا. (2025). A Proposed Matrix of Sustainable Development Standards in Sports Facilities: An Analytical Vision". Al-Rafidain Journal For Sport Sciences, 28(88), 204–225. https://doi.org/10.33899/rjss.v28i88.53594
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