Perspectives on the role of football in youth development in Bahrain: a grounded exploration

The football environment of Bahrain has been suffocating slowly Due to years of improper administration and planning, a lack of public and private investment, and decline of social engagement over time. As a result the sector is uninteresting and underdeveloped. In light of ongoing reforms to the sports sector overall, this study uses a grounded theory approach to explore peoples perspectives on football in Bahrain, and their views on the sector. Things are not all roses, as Bahrain is infamous for having facelift policies only. So, I checked with people what they thought of this all, and they told me. As a result, I was able to bring forward some poignant moments shared with me by participants; some of the hopes and dreams of their youth, and moments of joy or sadness I hoped to uncover what they had experienced and how the sector presents itself to the user, highlighting some issues that should be considered for future improvements. These improvements included the introduction of better procedures to ensure financial stability and transparency in the club sector, programmes to stem the waste of talent, a regulatory body for the private sector, and stopping the waste of talent by introducing well thought out and multi-impacted youth development policy.