Contribution of Social Support, Social Cultural, and Social Interference Factors in Sports Participation of Female Athletes - A Qualitative Approach

The primary purpose of the study was to investigate the social and cultural factors which provide support to female athletes as well as to explore the interferences in their sports participation. Total 43 female student-athletes of secondary schools participated in six focus group interviews. Interviews of these focus groups were recorded and prepared notes from them. The findings revealed that parents support and appreciate their girls in sports at their achievements at a low level. It was revealed from the findings that female athletes have fewer facilities and rewards/incentives. It was found that female athletes were also criticized on their sports dresses in rural areas of Pakistan. On the other hand, few opportunities, sports dress, and gender inequalities were found as big hurdles in sports participation of female athletes due to male dominance. Parents, peers, siblings, and sports teachers should support their females in their sports participation.