An empirical evaluation of stakeholders perceptions towards coach education in Oman

Effectiveness, barriers, and privatization

Bibliographic Data

ID22220764
AuthorsMajid Al Busafi (Sultan Qaboos University), Nabil Gmada (0000-0003-1986-3212, Sultan Qaboos University), Ali Al-Yaaribi (0000-0003-4686-0682, Sultan Qaboos University), Asharul Khan (Sultan Qaboos University, corresponding author)
Year2026
Volume8
Pages1802694-1802694
Publication date2026-06-18
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Sports and Active Living (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2624-9367 • E-ISSN: 2624-9367
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fspor.2026.1802694
PMID42394791
OpenAlexW7165122154
LanguageEN
References cited72

Purpose This research critically examines how adequately currently available coach education programs supports sports coaching and sports development in Oman. It also investigates how the perceptions towards coach education effectiveness, barriers, and privatization are influenced by variables such as job title and experience. Methodology An exploratory cross-sectional case study design and quantitative measures have been used to investigate coach education programs in Oman. A total of 159 stakeholders provided responses through a nation-wide online survey that was administered from September 10 to November 15, 2024. Data collected in this study were analyzed using a number of techniques, including the Kruskal–Wallis H test and the Mann–Whitney U -test. Findings The finding indicates that the current coach education program in Oman is underdeveloped and ineffective. More specifically 75.7% of sports stakeholders support reform in coach education. The stakeholders exhibited modest differences towards coach education privatization. While privatization provides opportunities for flexibility and revenue-generation, it is not a sufficient answer on its own due to trade-offs inherent to equity, accountability, and sustainability. The way forward would involve creating a multitude of funding sources with strong regulation so as to ensure compliance across the system. Further, the findings suggest that a hybrid system (i.e., combining public oversight with private and digital innovations) may represent a promising approach to addressing existing challenges in coach education. Finally, improving coach education in Oman necessitates systemic reform through the better integration of governance, pedagogy, and contextual relevance

Coaching · Compliance (psychology) · Empirical research · Exploratory research · Flexibility (engineering) · Multitude · Perception · Test (biology) · Sport and Mega-Event Impacts · Sport Psychology and Performance · Sports, Gender, and Society

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