The Paradox of Sport for Development: Evangelism and a Call for Evidence

Abstract

This chapter explores the apparent paradox of sport for development policy based on an evangelical belief in the ‘power of sport’ while also being characterized by increasing calls for evidence of its effectiveness. Such calls are in part to legitimate sport for development’s marginal status within mainstream national and international development policy. The ambitious claims made for sport can in part be explained by the processes of bargaining between a variety of interest groups in the policy process. Such claims are made possible by the combination of the mythopoeic nature of sport and the amorphous nature of ‘development.’ However, it is not clear the extent to which policy is influenced by evidence, which competes with other political and ideological factors—making an important distinction between the ‘truth’ and ‘utility’ of evidence. However, there is a consensus that there is a widespread lack of robust evidence relating to the effectiveness of sport for development. This is said to reflect a predominant funder-driven positivist approach emphasizing the quantification of outputs and outcomes (with little evidence about process and impacts). Such an approach ignores the knowledge of local practitioners and participants and lacks an understanding of the processes and mechanisms underpinning effective programs. One solution to many of these issues is to develop a participatory theory of change approach to program design and monitoring and evaluation. Such an approach will not only produce relevant information about process and critical success factors, but also contribute to program and organizational development, and provide a basis for generalization and increased legitimacy. It also facilitates a shift from evangelism to inquisitive agnosticism.