Developing a Policy Oriented for Promoting Students with Gifted Athletes toward International Excellence within the Framework of SPLISS Plus 2

Abstract

Background and Aims: The government has implemented a national sports development master plan led by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, with key agencies coordinating across education, sports organizations, and the private sector. However, performance evaluations indicate that targets have not been met due to fragmented management structures, limited integration with the education system, insufficient sports science support, and weak inter-agency collaboration. Lessons from successful international talent development models, therefore, underscore the need for more effective and coordinated policies to achieve the national sports strategy's goals. Therefore, this research aims to: 1) study and analyze the current situation and needs in the development of gifted students by the National Sports University and its affiliated sports schools. The objectives of this study are: 1) to develop policies and guidelines for developing gifted athletes to international excellence in sports schools under the jurisdiction of local administrative organizations; 2) to synthesize policy models and guidelines for developing gifted athletes to international excellence in leading sports countries; and 3) to develop policies and guidelines for developing gifted athletes to international excellence within the context of Thailand.

Methodology: This study employed a research and development approach consisting of three phases: (1) a needs analysis based on the SPLISS-Plus framework conducted with sports university and sports school administrators; (2) document analysis and synthesis of sports success policy factors from 10 leading sports nations; and (3) development and quality evaluation of policies and guidelines for nurturing elite student-athletes. Research instruments included a needs assessment form (IOC = .83, Cronbach’s α = .84) and policy quality assessment tools (IOC = .92). The sample comprised 50 administrators selected through purposive sampling, and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and systematic content analysis.

Results: 1) The overall mean and standard deviation of the 12 policy framework issues of SPLISS-Plus 2 were very high (\bar{x} = 4.59, SD=0.50). The top three issues with very high demand were: 1) the efficiency and quality of coaches and expert personnel (\bar{x} =4.73, SD=0.68), 2) the application of sports science and sports technology (\bar{x} = 4.70, SD=0.49), and 3) the management of governance models through collaboration (\bar{x} =4.68, SD=0.78). 2) The results of the policy proposals and guidelines for developing gifted athletes towards excellence included 9 policy issues: 1) policy on defining the national vision and direction, 2) policy on investment and budget, and 3) policy on youth development. The policy framework includes: 1) Sports infrastructure (Grassroots); 2) Talent Identification and Development (TID) policy; 3) Sports science and technology policy; 4) Gifted Sport Pedagogy policy (Sport for Educational Excellence); 5) Collaborative Governance policy; 6) Competition and award system policy; and 7) Official sponsorship policy. Expert evaluation revealed that the developed policies and guidelines are highly consistent and appropriate (\bar{x} = 4.45, SD= 0.71)

Conclusion: In conclusion, the research findings indicate that the needs and perspectives of administrators in sports educational institutions reflect common patterns and structural issues at the systemic levels of education and sports. Systemic analysis and synthesis within the framework of policy factors leading to international sports success (SPLISS Plus 2) revealed nine key policy components that demonstrate the mechanisms and relationships between factors and gaps affecting the systematic development of gifted athletes towards international excellence.