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1: Introduction

1.1 Research Background Women's sports participation has a rich history that dates back to the 19th century (Rich et al., 2022). During the early days, women's sports were largely limited to the upper social classes and witnessed relatively minimal participation as compared to men's sports. This trend has, however, changed over the years as attributed to increased gender equality. As highlighted by Andersson (2020), the perceived differences between men and women played a major role in the different approaches to sports across genders. According to the researcher, the tendency to consider men as being powerful and women as their subordinates is reflected in language and media across different cultures across the world. This trend is, however, changing an aspect that has been made possible by the recent gender equality campaigns. Despite such improvements, women's involvement in sports is significantly lower than that of men. Such evolution is facilitated in the UAE and Sharjah through organizations such as Sharjah Women Sports (SWS), which offer a well-organised platform to the female athletes under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi. In Sharjah, this evolution is championed by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, Wife of the Ruler of Sharjah. As the Chairperson of Sharjah Women's Sports (SWS), her vision and direct patronage have been instrumental in creating a supportive ecosystem for female athletes, making the emirate a regional leader in women's sports.

Along with the historical advancement of the world, the growth of female sports in Sharjah can be viewed as a demonstration of the global social and economic change within the UAE. During the past 20 years, national interests have focused more on the empowerment of women in education and employment as well as in participating in the civil society, and sport has become a logical continuation of such policy priorities. The creation of Sharjah Women’s Sports (SWS) is not just an investment in the field of female sports, but it is also a cultural declaration of the right of females to occupy the competitive and recreational sports. Such institutional backing has enabled the young girls to advance through school and community-based programs into formal training programs, professional coaching programs, and international competition. Notably, this kind of growth coincides with the global trends in public health where physical activity is sought as a key way of preventing the occurrence of non-communicable diseases, enhancing the mental health of people, and enhancing their resilience in young groups of people. In addition, the higher presence of Emirati sportswomen has created role models that undermine the traditional concept of gender roles and contributed to the normalization of sports as a worthy activity for women. The younger generations are more likely to be exposed to the local success stories as more digital media covers the sporting achievements of women, thereby solidifying their identity, aspiration, and belonging. Combined, these changes emphasize the reasons why Sharjah is a pertinent and opportunity-specific environment regarding exploring the incentives of women and the obstacles and experiences of women in the contemporary sporting contexts.

1.2 Problem Statement Although Sharjah Women's Sports is supportive in its turn, the limitations and reasons as to why female athletes find it motivating to work in this Emirati setting are underreported. The existing gaps in knowledge regarding the constraints and motivations of women participating in sports need to be addressed to create targeted interventions and support mechanisms. Notably, gaps in research undermine the capacity to respond to the challenges affecting women about their participation in sports. According to Osborne and Skillen (2020), the condition has been further compounded by the lack of historical documentation of women's participation in sports. As per the researcher, there is a general neglect among historians of the contributions made by women in sports. Specifically, major journals targeted at women's sports, such as the Women’s History Review, have published a limited number of articles on women's involvement in sports. The lack of coverage on such issues has only served to undermine progress regarding the solution of challenges undermining women's involvement in sports. Despite numerous interventions and measures, the number of women participating in sports is relatively lower than that of men, an aspect that can be partially attributed to constraints and demotivation. Eime et al.'s (2021) study on the gender variation in sports participation in Australia, for instance, shows that there has been an increase in women's participation in various events. However, the numbers are relatively low compared to men. For instance, the study established that there was an increase in women's participation across different age groups in Australia between 2015 and 2019.

The problem is also complicated by the fact that the majority of existing research has been based on an international or Western setting where the sporting environment of women, their social perception, and policy-making structures are quite different as compared to the Gulf region. Consequently, the experiences and conclusions of other areas cannot be transferred directly to Sharjah without a proper conception of the local reality. The presence of cultural expectations, little visibility of female athletes, and competing educational or professional obligations may have various impacts on the participation in the UAE compared to societies where the sports of women have historically been mainstreamed. In the absence of specific empirical data that will capture the opinion of athletes based in Sharjah, decision-makers can find it difficult to determine the best strategies to support, encourage, and retain female athletes. In addition, although Sharjah Women Sports has achieved significant milestones in creating facilities and organizing competitions as well as creating awareness, institutional success may not translate to a smooth experience among athletes in the field. It takes specific academic research to understand whether women feel powerful, supported, motivated, and socially welcomed in their sporting context. This is where the research gap lies, and a systematic study that would cover the motives of female involvement as well as the impediments, which continue to exist, is required. Sealing this gap will aid policy making in being revolutionized from involving assumption-based planning to evidence-based policy making that is well-informed by the reality of women athletes in Sharjah.

1.3 Aim, objectives, and research questions The purpose of this study is to investigate the constraints and motivations influencing women's participation in sports in Sharjah, UAE.

Research Objectives

1. To establish the most important motivational push factors behind the participation of women in sports in Sharjah. 2. To explore the major limitations that affect the participation of women in sports in Sharjah. 3. To make evidence-based suggestions to increase participation. Research questions

1. What motivates women in Sharjah to participate in sports?

2. What constraints do women in Sharjah face in sports participation?

1.4 Research Significance The study will be meaningful to Sharjah Women's Sports (SWS) because it will determine the major levers and obstacles to participation to facilitate program development and policy improvement to suit this group of athletes in its program. This research is also beneficial in addressing social issues affecting society today. As stated by Laar et al. (2019), a lifestyle that is characterized by constant engagement in physical activity such as sports has been linked with improved health conditions and a longer lifespan. The need to embrace physical exercise as a lifestyle has increased over the years, especially after the heightened prevalence of chronic illnesses that can be prevented. According to Miller et al. (2016), physical inactivity is a risk factor that can be modified and has been linked to the development of various conditions, such as cardiovascular illnesses and cancer. The occurrence of such conditions has been on the rise, with a major threat to public health and the global economy. This implies that identifying the factors preventing women from engaging in sports can be essential to addressing the issues limiting their adoption of a healthy lifestyle.

1.5 Scope and Limitations The geographical location of this research is the Emirate of Sharjah, UAE, and even more specifically, the female population. An important contextual frame is the recent order uniting all female sports clubs under Sharjah Women's Sports, as it will be an important institutional background to the study. The main weakness of this research is the sample and sampling. Having identified a number of 50 participants with the help of convenience sampling by reaching the participants through SWS channels, the results cannot be extended to the overall population of women in Sharjah. The target population of this research is exclusively female athletes of Sharjah Women's Sports (SWS). One of the limitations is that there might be self-selection bias because the participants will be recruited through SWS, which will overrepresent the most active athletes.

1.6 Structure This report is structured in five chapters. The first chapter provides the background and justification behind the study. Further, the first section details the questions that guide the research process. The second chapter is the literature review section and comprises literature that is thematically categorized. The third section provides an elaboration of the tools used in collecting data, whereas the fourth chapter elaborates on the findings from the primary data collection process. The fifth chapter provides a conclusion of the report and recommendations.

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Chapter 2: Literature Review 2.1 Historical overview of women in sports Women's participation in sports can be dated back to the 19th century. According to Vadhera (2018), since the level of participation and the type of activities vary across countries, there is a general acceptance that women started participating in major sports such as the Olympic Games in 1900. During the period, there were only 12 female athletes participating out of the 1066 athletes from different parts of the world. Further, it is estimated that women were engaged in different types of sports, such as horseback riding, skiing, tennis, and golfing, towards the end of the 19th century. The participation was, however, largely limited to the women from the upper class of society during the period. Additionally, women were largely engaged in recreational as opposed to competitive sports. In essence, the emphasis in early women's sports was on physical activity as opposed to competition.

Since the 19th century, there has been increased involvement of women in various types of sports. The Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) was one of the agencies put in place to support women's involvement. Specifically, the First American Track and Field championships for women were sponsored by the AAU. Besides the AAU, the Women's Amateur Athletic Association (WAAA) was involved in the creation of events to support women's sporting activities. As per Vadhera (2018), the International Working Group on Women and Sport (IWG) was put in place on May 5th, 1994. The agency was established as a non-governmental organization focused on the empowerment of women with regard to their participation in sports. According to Vadhera (2018), the events organised by WAAA, however, registered little participation, an aspect that was attributed to the social disapproval of those who engaged in such activities.

2.1.1 History of Sharjah Women’s Sports (SWS) Sharjah Women’s Sports is one of the most pioneering organizations in the Gulf region with regards to the active participation of women in sports. It began in 1982 with the establishment of the Al Montazah Girls’ Club which provided a safe, culturally appropriate, and supportive environment for girls and young women to participate in training and other sports activities (Sharjah Women’s Sports, 2023). With the passing of time, the organization began to grow in mission and scope which is the dream of Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, one of the pioneers of sports activism, to enable women, endorse and empower them, and create avenues for them to develop professionally. The club has expanded the services offered, as well as, the facilities, portfolios of competitions, and overall scope of activities. Under her direct leadership, the club was rebranded to Sharjah Women Sports to enable the organization to engage in structured training, systematic talent development, and coach accreditation, as well as the hosting of competitions at both local and international levels.

Today, SWS is both a sports club as well as a unique construct in the institution where the athletic development of a broad range of disciplines is facilitated. Professional training programs, professional coaching staffs, sports medical facilities, and access to both local and international competitions have enabled the female athletes in Sharjah to have opportunities to enjoy development opportunities just like sports regimes that are well-established across the world. Besides, SWS plays a crucial role in improving the popular gender awareness in the context of women sports through popularization of the success through the media, campaigns, and events (Sharjah Women's Sports, 2023). Women engaged in sports activities should also be given a chance through the organization to become leaders in terms of an administrative, managerial and technical training position within the sports governance arena.

SWS has helped change the perception of the communities towards women in sports when they demonstrate that cultural and traditional values can help to achieve excellence in the sports. By means of supplying female-only facilities and contests, SWS gives an opportunity to engage in the activities that correspond to the community expectation and yet meet the international standards. This model has also pre-empted Sharjah as a model of women-sports in the UAE and this proves that the policy support, investment of infrastructure and specific administration can significantly raise participation. The establishment of SWS will provide an effective venue in which motivational factors and constraints affecting women in Sharjah shall be investigated, and the agency will be strategically placed in understanding the prevailing sports participation in the Emirate (Sharjah Women to Sport, 2023).

2.2 Theoretical framework Achievement goal theory

Achievement goal theory holds that individuals are rational and are often goal oriented. This theory further holds that the attainment of goals is often a key motivation for individual actions (Bardach et al., 2020). Additionally, the theory postulates that people complete tasks with the key objective of improving themselves. Also, the theory holds that during the implementation of performance-oriented tasks, individuals tend to vary their level of involvement between ego or task-related objectives.

When applied to the case of women engaging in sports, achievement goal theory is also applicable in explaining the variations of motivation of athletes in terms of their level of development, and the situational environment that they are in training. According to accomplishing their talent and contributing to it, task-oriented athletes would define success by their own improvement, which is effective particularly where performance pressure is less and female athletes are less confident to make. Ego-driven athletes, on the other hand, can define achievement based on their competitors, rank, or possession of external rewards, to name a few, medals, scholarships, or press coverage. The different factors that influence the predominant orientation are institutional support, coaching style and peer culture. In this case, an example is environments that promote effort, improvement, and team cohesion that will tend to promote task orientation and those that promote ego-based motivation by promoting winning or outmuscling opposing competitors. In the example of SWS, the two orientations can interact with each other, and the existence of well-leveled competitive progressions opens prospects, not only to the achievement of individual excellence, but also to personal adjustment and development.

McClelland's acquired needs theory

McClelland's acquired needs theory assumes that humans are motivated by three factors: achievement, power, and affiliation. As per Arogundade and Akpa (2023), people with the need for achievement often focus on enhancing their performance and acquiring the necessary feedback from their colleagues or superiors. Further, individuals with this need exhibit a need to overcome more challenges with little effort, as attributed to constant learning and improvement. Also, the need for achievement is characterized by great initiative, self-confidence, and clear goal definition. The need for power, on the other hand, denotes an individual’s determination to rise above others in terms of prestige and fame. According to Arogundade and Akpa (2023), people with the need for power tend to enjoy involvement in various forms of competition. One of the reasons behind the assertiveness of such individuals is their awareness of their strengths and weaknesses. As per Arogundade and Akpa (2023), the need for affiliation is characterized by an intention to convey a good image among those with whom they interact as a means of gaining favour.

When applied in the framework of participation in sports by women, the model of McClelland is an important perspective on why athletes continue to train and compete even when the situation gets challenging. Women who are achievement oriented can also target constant improvement, record breaking, or the upward levels of competition. Individuals who are driven by power might aspire to meaningful roles of leadership and visibility or influence in the sporting communities that individuals who are driven by affiliation may find the social grouping, sense of belonging to a team, and sense of identity that sporting settings offer. The three aspects may coexist in various ratios; hence, an effective program design should be able to understand and address various motivational needs of female athletes in Sharjah.

2.3 Previous research on women's sports participation There has been relatively limited research on women's sports participation. According to Peters, Hendry, and Hodges (2022), most of the studies addressing women's sports have not expressly focused on the issues affecting women. Specifically, the researcher shows that only 10% of the studies are solely focused on women's sports, whereas the rest combine women's and men's sports (Peters, Hendry, and Hodges, 2022). Comparatively, 45% of studies on sports are solely concerned with men's sports, a condition that highlights the limited attention towards women's sports. Vincent and Glamser (2006) investigated the role of biology in determining women's participation in sports. The researcher established that the tendency to mature earlier as compared to men is a major hindrance towards sports participation. The researcher specifically cited the tendency of women to grow wider hips and gain weight as a condition that can impede participation in athletics.

Whereas the underrepresentation of women in research related to sports has become a systematic issue in the literature of the world, current scholarship acknowledges that contextual deviations should be considered in order to make meaning out of the patterns of participation. As an example, European and North American studies have tended to identify institutional supports, school-sponsored athletics, and community clubs as pillars of the participation of girls, but none of these pillars is uniformly available in emerging sports markets. Studies in some areas of Asia and the Middle East observe that participation is not only based on choice but also on socio-cultural requirements, the presence of visible female role models, and the gender-sensitive sporting facilities. The issue of women's participation in sports programs is relatively recent in the Gulf, so in these areas researchers have seen that with a secure environment, female coaches, and competition channels, women tend to join up in large numbers.

The other theme that is presented in the current literature is the association between sport involvement and psychological empowerment. Whether at the beginner level or in professional sports, when women participate repeatedly in organized sports programs, they express their confidence, emotional stability, and sense of agency, which proves that success in sport is not the only outcome of participation. Nevertheless, one inconsistency that runs through most of the international literature is the lack of localized qualitative information that would give an eye on the experiences of women within the individual institutional structures, which is Sharjah Women Sports. This makes it necessary to conduct research that records the perception of women of their opportunities or challenges and motivation within their immediate sporting context rather than relying on generalized assumptions based on irrelevant contexts.

2.4 Motivational factors in sports The need to achieve healthy lifestyles is one of the major motivations behind women's participation in sports. Jakobsen and Evjen's (2018) investigation of the different factors that motivate Norwegian girls and boys to participate in sports led to the determination of various issues. Specifically, the study established that girls’ participation in sports is largely intrinsic, whereas that of boys is extrinsic. Some of the intrinsic motivations for girls, according to the study, include interest and enjoyment. Othman et al. (2022) further postulate that the need to improve or maintain appearance is one of the reasons cited by women for their involvement in physical activities. The other motivations identified by Othman et al. (2022) include the attainment of good physical health and togetherness.

Despite the small number of women who have been successful in various sports fields, role modelling is an important motivation for involvement in such activities. As stated by Meier (2015), women tend to choose both male and female role models as their motivation for participation in sporting activities. This condition implies that the relatively small number of successful female sports persons has not undermined role modelling for women, as they can rely on men sports persons.

National pride is another aspect that has often informed people’s involvement in sports. In essence, the need to achieve success for one’s country motivates individuals to be involved in various sporting activities. As highlighted by Taipei Lemus-Delgado (2021), international sports such as the Olympics have often been associated with national pride and, to some extent, determining the sovereignty of the respective countries. The researcher highlights the particular example of Taiwan, which has often been compelled not to participate in international events as a means of aligning with the one-China policy (Taipei Lemus-Delgado, 2021). In such instances, sportspeople participating are often likened to the highest level of patriotism, as it serves to portray the country's sovereignty at the highest level globally.

The need to address social issues is another factor that motivates participation in sports. As highlighted by Massey and Williams (2020), sports have often been recommended as a tool for alleviating various social issues, such as trauma and loneliness among the youth. Further, Stenseng et al. (2023) state that escapism is one of the highest motivations for individual participation in running activities. The effectiveness of sports as escapism is attributed to their capacity to draw individuals’ attention from their challenging conditions and make them develop positive attitudes towards life.

Together with the psychological and social factors, the institutional encouragement is a major determinant of the interest of women in sports activities, especially when the structure is well-established, like Sharjah Women Sports. Upon organizations providing specialized training programs, allocation of professional coaching, career prospects, and career growth, women tend to believe that their individual actions will result in significant personal and sport development. The external appreciation in the form of public recognition, group achievement, and the opportunity to participate in local or regional competitions can also support self-worth and provide a meaningful addition to working out. Furthermore, supportive peer groups could also enhance the motivation by establishing a sense of belonging, which encourages the athletes in the long run due to shared experiences, encouragement, and the presence of supportive groups.

The success of peers is also a strong encouragement in most communities, particularly where the involvement of women is in its infancy since it proves that sporting goals are feasible and acceptable in the society. Lastly, women's sports can be made more visible by conducting community events, digital media campaigns, or national campaigns, which they can do to attract more participants by making athletic activity normal and sharing success stories. This exposure helps in defying both internal and external skepticism to create a culture whereby sports involvement by women is not merely allowable but also to be honored. A combination of these factors emphasizes the fact that motivation does not happen in isolation and is instead determined by larger social systems, institutional investment, and also cultural encouragement that provides women with the confidence and the impetus to go into sports in a long-term and satisfying way.

2.5 Constraints faced by women in sports Numerous factors constrain women's involvement in sports. Economic status is one of the factors identified for its role in preventing women's involvement in sports. As per Laar et al. (2019), family economic status is the leading constraint to women's involvement in sports, followed closely by culture and religion. Economic status, in this case, is deemed a constraint since it limits women’s capacity to focus on other activities besides the generation of income for their families. Aside from that, the economic status of the individual can undermine their capacity to acquire the necessary training. According to Laar et al. (2019), the training of sportspeople is a resource-intensive process that can be undermined by challenging financial conditions.

The consideration of women's sports events as boring is another aspect that has affected the popularity of such activities. According to Schindler and Wagstaff (2018), there is a wide variation in media coverage of men's and women's sports, an aspect that can be attributed to the differences in perceptions towards such activities. An attempt at increasing the promotion of female sports events, according to the study, did not have a positive impact on attitudes. Liu et al. (2023) echo the above statement regarding the impact of social attitudes on the promotion and prevalence of women's sports. Mannion (2016) echoes the above sentiments with an assertion that there is a general perception among the members of the public and media that female sports are less important as compared to male sports. The condition, according to the researcher, has been responsible for the lower portrayal of female sports in media as well as relatively lower expenditure on sponsorship, which translates to less earnings for female sports persons. Specifically, the lack of preference for such activities from the population contributes to the low prevalence of women's sports (Liu et al., 2023). By extension, a low number of women in sports translates to lower opportunities for women to engage in such activities.

Fang et al. (2022) corroborate the above based on an evaluation of factors influencing female sports participation in China. The researcher established that negative body aesthetic perceptions and the family environment burden are some of the major factors that inhibit female participation in sports. Notably, it was determined that women with a negative self-image were less unwilling to take part in sports due to the conclusion that they are unlikely to achieve better body figures because of taking part in sports (Fang et al., 2022). The lack of female role models in sports is another aspect that affects their involvement in such activities (Meier, 2015). As stated by Mannion (2016), the lack of role models has meant that there is no motivation for women to be involved in sports, which, by extension, leads to depressed numbers.

Sports-related injuries are another major undermining factor for women's participation in sports. According to de Borja et al. (2022), research shows that women tend to drop out of sports due to injuries as compared to men. Specifically, women who have sustained knee injuries or anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are significantly likely to get back to sports as compared to men. The researcher attributed this trend to inexperience, negative perceptions, as well as concerns about isolation (de Borja et al., 2022).

The unavailability of sports facilities is another limiting factor that can undermine women's involvement in sports. According to Kruszyńska and Poczta (2020), the lack of a wide range of sports facilities can limit the capacity of all social groups to access such facilities. Women are disadvantaged by such conditions, as they are often considered the least deserving of the available sporting facilities. As highlighted by Jeanes et al. (2021), despite the rising number of women involved in sports, such achievements are likely to be affected by inequalities in sports resources.

University schedules are another aspect that can affect student participation in sports. Aljehani et al. (2022) evaluated the factors that hinder female student participation in sports and identified the high workload as one of the leading impediments. Specifically, it was determined that the workload limits the time that can be used in sports. This condition, according to the researchers, has been responsible for the lower-than-recommended number of hours spent in physical activity. On overage, the female students did not attain the 150 hours per week recommendation by the World Health Organization due to the tight schedules in the learning facilities (Aljehani et al., 2022).

Factors limiting the participation of women in sports activities are usually complex and intertwined. Financial constraints are among the limiting factors that are experienced globally, whether in access to high-quality training, competition fees, equipment purchases, or programs of professional development. Clashing responsibilities also exist among women in most regions, especially those who are affected by education and family commitments, which restrict their time for regular training. Where cultural standards dictate the extracurricular activity is subject to permission by family members, insufficiency on the part of parents or spouses may decrease involvement even more. Gender expectations regarding social roles can also be demotivating because involvement may be regarded as less important and secondary to other duties, such as academic or household duties.

Another factor that influences is media representation. The sponsorship and less coverage and publicity accorded to female athletes when compared with their counterparts demote the image of female athletes, diminishing the legitimacy of female sport. This may dishearten girls from doing any form of athletic development since they will have decreased role models of women with long-term success. In areas where coaches and administrators of the necessary number of women are not found, there can be cases when a woman feels unfamiliar or unsupported in the conditions of training, which influences retention and performance. Athletes may continue possessing the aspects of balancing school, family, and competitive expectations even in the presence of institutional support, as in Sharjah. The awareness of these restrictions in the context of a particular cultural and institutional setting in the emirate can be used as a basis for specific interventions aimed at reducing not only structural obstacles but also psychological and social issues that influence the experiences of women in the sports industry.

2.6 Gender stereotypes and sports Women face a myriad of gender stereotypes, which, by extension, affect their involvement in sports. As per Laar et al. (2019), one of the notable stereotypes is the consideration of women as the weaker gender, hence being incapable of meeting the requirements of sports. According to Marcén, Morales, and Sevilla (2020), the portrayal of women as a weaker gender has often demoralized them from their involvement in sports. As per the researcher, this consideration of women as a weaker gender has also limited the number of sports available for members of this gender. Notably, they are unlikely to engage in what is considered manly sports such as American football, rugby, and football. In most instances, the number of women involved in such sports is largely minimal compared to men. As shown by Meier, Konjer, and Krieger (2021), gender discrimination has also been responsible for the suppression of women's participation in elite athletics.

Cultural factors such as parental involvement in children’s lives are another aspect that has been found to be an impediment to participation in sports. As per Marcén, Morales, and Sevilla (2020), the time invested by the parents in participating in the child’s sports activities has a direct impact on perspective creation. Spending less time with their children in sports in this regard was found to directly influence attitude creation and, by extension, the development of stereotypes.

Besides early socialization and parental pressures, media portrayal has been extensively accepted as quite an effective reinforcing variable of gender stereotypes in sport. In most regions women's performance is given much less airing time, receives a less good quality of coverage, and less analogy commentary than men's. Such disproportion does not only impact the perception of people but also has an impact on how the young girls see sports as an available and valid activity. Although female athletes might have the media coverage, the attention can still tend to diverge to look at the appearance, emotional reaction, or personal lives of the athlete instead of her athletic ability, hence perpetuating the implicit messages with regard to what the society deems the most in women. It has also been proposed by research that stereotypes are capable of influencing institutional decisions such as funds, high-performance facilities access, and hiring women as coaching staff. In the contexts that still have a male leadership, women also have fewer mentors to choose from, and this is further limiting their visibility and even upward careers in sports governance.

Nevertheless, with the existence of organized institutions like Sharjah Women Sports that ensure female-only coaching, leadership, and career patterns, they are actively disrupting the assumptions directed by the stereotypes, in that they predict the ability of women to perform athletic tasks, attain better competitive results, and excel in leadership roles. With time, these frameworks can transform the community views by showing the women as good competitors, not as an exception to conventional norms. Over the years, the additional successful females in the sport, administration, and coaching departments act as a counter-narrative to the old stereotype that sports are a male domain, and by the time future generations grow up, they will have more inclusive thoughts on gender and participation in sports.

2.7 Research Gap and Summary This section has evaluated the literature on motivation and constraints to women's sports participation. The key revelations from the reviewed literature are that there is little research on women's participation in sports. As shown above, only 10% of articles on sports have focused on women exclusively as compared to 45% for men (Peters, Hendry, and Hodges, 2022); aside from that, those studies on women have addressed gender in general without regard to specific age groups. It is worth noting that youth, for instance, have different motivations and constraints compared to the aged. Consequently, the lack of such focused research means that most of the studies may not provide effective guidance for those focused on enhancing sports participation among younger women. This condition implies that there is a need for additional research on the motivations and constraints for women's sports.

Likewise, the literature indicates that although global literature recognizes the existence of barriers like cultural norms, unequal media coverage, inadequate institutional funding, and family support, there is little evidence of how these issues work in well-organized women-only sports programs such as those found in Sharjah. With Sharjah Women's Sports having been established, it has resulted in a special atmosphere where women athletes can find the amenities of modern facilities, professional coaches, and athletic opportunities all tailored towards their specific growth and development. Nevertheless, no empirical studies that illustrate whether such resources are translated into higher levels of confidence, long-term retention, or athletic advancement as viewed by the women themselves also exist.

Furthermore, the literature on this topic almost never takes into account an interaction of various motivational factors, including national pride, personal ambition, or social belonging, with such constraints as academic pressure, time constraints, or gender expectations. In the absence of this insight, interventions may end up failing in addressing realities on the ground where the athletes are. The lack of studies specific to the region also constrains the formulation of policy frameworks and program designs that are distinctly unique to the culture and society of Sharjah. Thus, a study that would not only replicate quantitative patterns but also offer the qualitative stories of the active sportsmen will be a vital background to the evidence-based approaches to the further progress of women's sports in the Emirate.

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Chapter 3: Research Methodology 3.1 Introduction to Chapter This chapter gives an overview of the methodological framework of study that will be used to explore the limitations and interests of women in sports in Sharjah. It outlines the research paradigm, philosophy, research design, selection criteria of the participants, instrumentation, data collection procedures and data analysis procedures, and gives a clear and justifiable road map on how the research would be conducted.

3.2 Research Paradigm This study is based on the positivist paradigm. The paradigm is suitable because it is based on the premise that social reality is objective, and it can be examined using observable, measurable facts. The research will measure and identify the correlations between the variables (motivations and constraints) through quantitative data, and this aspect is in line with the positivist goal of establishing general laws. To prevent bias related to the multifacetedness of sports participation research, a mixed-method design was chosen. Quantitative approaches might identify trends, frequency, or statistical correlation, but they cannot always provide details as to why there is such a trend and how individuals personally perceive their experiences in their sports. On the other hand, qualitative research methods can be comprehensive and detailed, but they might be insufficient in their ability to reflect larger groups. The design enables the study to come up with quantifiable participation aspects by combining both strands as well as contextualizing them with the actual experiences. Similar to the other studies on sports in the past, the mixed-method approach aligns with the studies that explore behavioral motivations and sociocultural factors at the same time (Bryman, 2016). The quantitative part of this investigation was the introduction of a structured survey to women in the sports community at Sharjah Women Sports, and a qualitative step was used to gather individual feedback in the form of an interview. Combining the two types of data does not only increase the validity by triangulating the results but also, overall, increases the interpretive validity by providing the voices of athletes as the foundation of the research themes.

3.2.1 Epistemology and Ontology

This study is written based on the epistemological approach of objectivism, which says that knowledge concerning the motivations and constraints of women's sports is independent of the researcher and is measurable by means of measuring schemes such as surveys. The ontological position of the study is one of realism, whereby the social phenomena under study are considered real and tangible and have a presence that exists irrespective of whether we know about it or not.

Besides these background assumptions, this research paper recognizes that the knowledge of women's sports participation is not only informed by the behavior that can be observed but also by the social meaning that is ascribed to the behavior. This implies that the epistemological position that dictates the research acknowledges the significance of reflecting the quantifiable trends as well as the subjective meaning that the individuals accord to their experiences. The study provides an opportunity to have various kinds of truth coexisting by acknowledging that the creation of realities by particular individuals in specific cultural and institutional conditions are constructed by people. It is particularly crucial in Sharjah, where cultural pressures, family, and new sport programs collide in intricate fashions. Ontologically the study also presumes that the motivations and constraints are dynamic and not fixed, as they are transforming with changes in the policy, exposure to sport, and general societal development. This type of insight reinforces the need to integrate quantitative data with qualitative knowledge since such a dual-dimensional approach will provide a more comprehensive view of how women negotiate the sports landscape. In this line of sight, the research is capable of explaining the structural as well as individual beliefs that influence participation.

3.2.2 Research Philosophy: Deductive Approach.

In this study, a deductive research philosophy is used. It starts with developing existing theories, which include the Achievement Goal Theory and the Acquired Needs Theory by McClelland and formulates hypotheses (in the survey constructs) which are subsequently tested by gathering and analysing quantitative data. This is to either verify or disapprove the hypothetical propositions in the example of Sharjah. The deductive approach was the best method since the study aimed at assessing the degree to which the theoretical assumptions as suggested in the literature would hold in the empirical environment of Sharjah Women Sports. With the starting point of the generally accepted motivational theories and the subsequent implementation of these theories onto real-life data, the research is analyzed in a logical and analytical proceeding. The methodology allows greater transparency, with anticipated correlations among variables, including how intrinsic or extrinsic motivation can affect sports participation, able to be tested by expected relationships in a systematic manner using measurable outcomes. The deductive design is also congruent with quantitative research traditions that focus on objectivity, structured measurement, and the possibility of making generalizable conclusions.

3.3 Research Design There are two types of designs that can be adopted in the completion of a study: qualitative and quantitative designs. Qualitative research design involves the collection of data in the form of views and opinions. As per Tomaszewski, Zarestky, and Gonzalez (2020), qualitative research designs tend to be subjective, and the collected data is often in written formats. Quantitative research, on the other hand, involves data collection in the form of numbers and figures. Further, there is a wide array of instances when quantitative research design can be employed. Notable situations when the approach can be employed include the collection of data through interviews or online surveys (Novosel, 2022). Quantitative and qualitative research design was utilized in this study due to its use of a survey questionnaire and interviews as a data collection tool.

3.4 Participants The participants are female athletes, aged 18 and above, registered with Sharjah Women's Sports (SWS). A mixed-methods approach is used: a quantitative survey distributed via SWS channels and qualitative interviews with a purposively selected group of SWS athletes. The age category was identified as appropriate, given the premise that this is when most people are actively involved in various sporting activities. The number of participants, on the other hand, was informed by the need to reduce the likelihood of bias during selection. The participants were selected through a random sampling approach. In essence, the researcher contacted many young women within the sports organization.

3.5 Instrumentation A survey questionnaire was used to collect views from the target population. The use of this tool was informed by the premise that questionnaires are easy to administer, especially through online platforms. Consequently, this was deemed appropriate for collecting the views from the large number of participants who were targeted in this study. The capacity to administer such tools online also means that the data collection process is made significantly cheaper. Further, the respondents experience convenience from the use of this approach as they can respond to the questions in the comfort of their homes and within timelines that they deem appropriate. A semi-structured interview was also conducted with 10 participants.

3.6 Data Collection Data was collected using questionnaire surveys carried out through SWS channels. In essence, the participants were required to respond to the questionnaire prompts. The adoption of email as a platform of choice for administering the questionnaire, in this case, was informed by the premise that it is a relatively cheap channel of communication. Aside from that, email is a common tool of communication for the youth, who were the primary target of this study (Kapoor et al., 2018).

3.7 Data Analysis The gathered data was evaluated with Microsoft Excel. The former involves the categorization of data based on the different themes and processing these data in a procedure. The data processing as well as the presentation in the form of charts and tables were facilitated by the utility of the software. Further, the patterns were identified and compared with the information gathered during the analysis of the reviewed literature. The respondents were expected to answer the questions by choosing yes or no. To streamline the data analysis process, it was important to limit the possible responses to yes or no, considering that the respondents had two possible answers, namely yes and no. Conversely, the qualitative data analysis involved the thematic analysis.

It should be pointed out, however, that the survey instrument utilized in this study employed a 7-point Likert scale of 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree) as opposed to yes/no responses. The multi-point scale allowed for carrying out a more delicate and thorough assessment of the attitude, perception, and experience of participants. The descriptive statistics calculated in Microsoft Excel included mean values, frequency distributions, and standard deviations to enable the researcher to know how the response varies among items. To analyze the interview data using thematic analysis assisted in interpreting the information by identifying codes and classifying shared ideas and creating broad categories that depicted frequent views of the participants. The quantitative approach to scoring and the qualitative analysis with the interpretation supported the analysis because it gave a numerical and a contextual meaning to the factors affecting women's participation in sports.

3.8 Trustworthiness Criteria To achieve the reliability and validity of the quantitative data, the criteria used to determine the quantitative studies are used accordingly. The table below provides a description of the strategies employed:

Criterion

Definition

Strategies Used in This Study

Credibility

The degree to which the results do accurately represent the experience of the participants and the reality under which the research took place.

- Triangulation of mixed methods (surveys and interviews).

- The direct data will be collected among the athletes who actively attend the Sharjah Women Sports.

- Semi-structured interviews enabled members to expand using their own language thereby enhancing better accuracy and richness.

- Anonymity of the participants promoted honesty and frankness.

Transferability

The extent to which the results can be generalized to other settings or groups.

- Evidence of the circumstances of the research indicating the nature of the participants and their location.

- Excellent description of the methodology, sampling and methods of data collection allows the comparison and similarity with other women sports settings.

- Detailed descriptions, which are rich, enable the readers to make judgments whether they are applicable to other settings.

Dependability

The permanence and sustainability of the research process.

- Structured instruments of data collection (survey and interview guides).

- Unified procedures on administration of all participants.

- Transparent description of research choices in order to replicate.

- Archiving of digital data was audit-enabled.

Confirmability

The degree to which the outcomes are influenced by the participants and not the researcher bias.

- Verbatim accounts and participant-derived thematic analysis.

- The confirmability was ensured by transparent coding and analysis processes.

- Both quantitative and qualitative data enabled the prevention of a single-source interpretation bias.

Reliability (Quantitative)

Coherence of measurement tools in the measurement of homogeneous and accurate quantifiable responses.

- Likert-scale items that were evaluated on a 1-7 scale were used in order to be more responsive.

- Survey questions were designed according to constructs (motivation, constraints, support, etc.).

- Cross-item comparison made internal consistency possible.

Validity (Quantitative)

The degree to which instruments have successfully measured what they are supposed to measure.

- Survey questions developed according to the existing constructs applied in the past studies on the sports participation of women.

- Content validity was taken care of by having the instrument reviewed by experts.

- Interpretation of construct was enhanced through triangulation with interview data.

3.9 Limitation In addition to the scope limitations as discussed in Chapter 1, self-selection bias is one of the major methodological limitations. Because this is volunteering, and the promotion will be through SWS channels, the sample will be unrepresentative of women who are indifferent or negative towards sports and may overrepresent women already interested in or liking sports. Moreover, the quantitative design, though efficient, might not be able to reflect the depth and the nuance of personal experiences that a qualitative design can unveil.

3.10 Summary of the Chapter This chapter has described the positivist, quantitative, as well as qualitative approaches to this study. It provided the validity of the application of an online survey to 50 females in Sharjah, as well as interviews of 10 persons, the process of data analysis in Microsoft Excel, and the limitations of the study. The specified methodology will be used to gather and study the data in a systematic way so that it can effectively address the research questions.

Along with that, this chapter showed how both survey and interview methodology enhanced the credibility of the results, as it was possible to cross-verify the results by cross-methodological triangulation. Both descriptive statistical analysis and thematic interpretation provided the means to make sure that the quantitative trends were credited by the elaborative personal reports of the respondents, who are personally involved in Sharjah Women Sports. To strengthen the integrity of this research process, ethical procedures were used throughout to ensure the safety of respondents and that the anonymity and rights of the respondents were safeguarded. In general, the chapter forms a clear and reproducible methodological framework that the following data presentation and analysis chapters will be based on.

Chapter 4: Findings and Results 4.1 Introduction of Chapter This chapter shows the analysis of data and results of the quantitative survey that was carried out. It opens with a thematic introduction to the results discussion, which is followed by a description of the main themes that were identified with the help of descriptive statistics, charts, and tables to illustrate.

4.2 Thematic Analysis Thematic analysis of the survey data was conducted to determine the patterns that were frequently repeated in motivations and constraints. The answers were coded and clustered into overall themes that answered the research questions. The three major themes that appeared after analyzing the data are discussed in the following sections.

4.2.1 Theme 1: Health and Personal Mastery

Health enhancement and personal mastery were typical reasons that were cited by participants to engage in sports, which supported the proven long-standing knowledge that women are more commonly encouraged by intrinsic goals like fun, mastery of skills, and challenge (Jakobsen and Evjen, 2018). According to the observations of many respondents, their attendance had led to a better mental state and self-esteem as well as an increased competence in themselves. These results do not contradict the wider case of intrinsic motivations in sport synonymous with autonomy, self-enhancement, and sense of accomplishment over external identification or reward (Deaner et al., 2016). To most women, Sharjah Women Sports offers a platform upon which progress can be quantified, systematized, and reinforced through sustained coaching, thus helping athletes to formulate goals for performances that are realistic. These organized routes facilitate some of the needs that the self-determination theory proposes, namely the need for competence and development, which enhance intrinsic commitment and pleasure in the long run.

Some of the participants also said that the regular participation enabled them to feel in control of their personal growth, particularly when it comes to fitness, discipline, and personal drive. It has been found out that intrinsic motivation can be further enhanced by engagement in communities dominated by women, as the athletes do not feel judged and are confident and focused on performance instead of social comparison (Aljehani et al., 2022). The sense of satisfaction with the improvements observed through training cycles and competitions was identified by the respondents. On the other hand, above all other factors, healthier and better endurance, more flexibility, and greater strength guaranteed a lifelong commitment to sport, which is consistent with the literature that health-related gains are one of the most effective motivational factors among women worldwide (Miller et al., 2016). These insights indicate that intrinsic motivations play a key role in interpreting the participation of women in Sharjah, where personal development is applauded and sustained through a positive institutional climate. This is especially applicable in an environment whereby players are advised to monitor growth, assess themselves, and keep on improving, from which they develop high internal motivational drive toward sporting growth.

4.2.2 Theme 2: National Pride and Community

The second key theme identified through accounts made by the participants is extrinsic motivation, specifically the role of national pride and representation of the community and social recognition. The shared sentiment among respondents was that their involvement in Sharjah Women’s Sports enabled them to play a role in a larger national agenda and women’s presence in the United Arab Emirates. Surveys show that playing as a representative of a country or a community can be a strong motivational factor, particularly in the competitive sports environment where the athletes experience the feeling of obligation, dedication, and belonging to a broad population (Taipei Lemus-Delgado, 2021). It was also observed that by taking part in local and international events, participants developed emotional investment in their performance as well as their participation as representatives of Sharjah. Other researchers have also reported comparable outcomes when they explain that athletes tend to become inspired by the need to represent their nation, school, or team, as success is associated with national pride in the group as a whole, instead of simply personal progress (Meier et al., 2021).

The other major stimulus as an external motivation was the community support and recognition. Sportspeople talked about the importance of recognition by coaches, family, peers, and the general population in enhancing their legitimacy and commitment to incessant growth. This is in agreement with the results that social stimulus, especially authoritative sporting conditions, improves involvement and extended support among female sportsmen (Jeanes et al., 2021). Furthermore, the presence and portrayal of successful women in sport can motivate new women to join and develop greater acceptance of female participation in sport, which is backed up by findings that an increase in media coverage of sports by women affects positive attitude change and motivation among viewers (Scheadler and Wagstaff, 2018). Public recognition, coverage of the event, and institutional recognition in Sharjah all occur on the extrinsic motivation front and allow the athlete to feel appreciated and part of a larger sporting community. These extrinsic rewards enhance psychological investment and a social identity relating to pride, representation, and service to their sporting institution and country.

4.2.3 Theme 3: Logistical and Cultural Hurdles

Nevertheless, regardless of such motivations, participants also reported a number of current logistical and cultural barriers restricting participation and advancement in sports. A lot of the respondents also cited time constraints in terms of organizing training and academic endeavors, family, and work. These issues are representative of the larger research that women tend to have numerous, incompatible roles that limit the amount of time they could spend on organized sports activity (Laar et al., 2019). Further, the accessibility and presence of the facilities, for example, training slots, transportation, and lengthy trips, were also identified as realistic barriers that sometimes impede regular attendance. Other scholarly research undertaken internationally yields similar findings and demonstrates that logistical issues, especially the access to facilities and their timeslots, still determine the involvement of women in sports participation in diverse settings (Kruszynska and Poczta, 2020).

Cultural pressure was also found to be another huge limitation. Some of the athletes have reported that despite the shift in attitude in the UAE, there is still social scrutiny involving women in regard to their involvement in sports in public or the perceived suitability of a particular sporting activity. That is in accordance with the research conducted worldwide that showed that cultural norms and gender role upholding can discourage women from participating in physically demanding or competitive sports on a long-term basis (Marcen et al., 2020). In Middle Eastern situations, social acceptance and approval of the family are of special concern since the sporting involvement might be affected by the group decision-making and conservative demands regarding femininity, modesty, and social exposure. Although Sharjah Women Sports has achieved so much in terms of offering culturally sensitive settings, some respondents have mentioned that it is still hard to move out of recreational playing levels to professional sports without the support of their families. These experiences are reflected in the previous research that indicated that institutional support of women in sports activities should be complemented by social support in order to sustain their interest in the sport on a long-term basis (Fang et al., 2022). On the whole, the information shows that despite the existence of strong institutional structures in Sharjah, the opportunities and progress of women, as well as their ability to exercise complete freedom in the development of athletic abilities, are still influenced by the logistical and cultural pressures.

4.3 Interpretation of Expected Results The supportive framework provided by Sharjah Women's Sports (SWS) is expected to emerge as a critical factor in amplifying these positive motivations and mitigating traditional constraints for its athletes. It’s expected that attitudes around women’s participation in sports are gradually shifting. While some negative perceptions and cultural barriers still exist, more women seem to be increasingly open and motivated to take part in sports. This change is likely connected to the growing awareness of how physical activity can benefit both health and appearance. These factors may be helping women feel more confident and determined to stay active, even when faced with stereotypes or discouragement. It’s also likely that universities and other educational institutions are starting to invest more in women’s sports, which is an encouraging sign of progress. Furthermore, the anticipated outcomes would show that the availability of organized training programs, women-exclusive establishments, and expert mentoring in the realms of SWS have enhanced the confidence and sense of belongingness among women in the sporting environments that they might have otherwise found incomprehensible. With the growth of participation, women will start considering sport as not just a leisure activity but also a promising way of individual development, emotional and psychological well-being, and even a new career. This is indicative of a study that draws in the fact that the presence of women in organized sporting systems can make women more empowered and motivate them more in the long term when there is institutional support (Jeanes et al., 2021). The exposure to the competition events, whether local or international, is also expected to support the feelings of pride and accomplishments, which enhance the internal drive and dedication among athletes. Simultaneously, the findings will indicate that the logistical and cultural pressure still exists, but with such specifications, it can be mitigated through the provision of concrete emotional, social, and institutional support to the participants. International experience indicates that cultural limitations become less crucial in situations where the opportunities coincide with personal objectives of athletes and provide them with the environment they can be in, feel at home, and be valued in (Fang et al., 2022). Consequently, the results could suggest that the changing ecosystem in Sharjah is shifting to the model described as the one in which motivation prevails more over the constraint, which makes SWS a meaningful force of change in the wider context with regard to the female participation in sports in the United Arab Emirates. 4.4 Implications of Anticipated Findings If these expected trends continue, they could have a big impact on how we approach women's participation in sports. The anticipated challenges—like cultural expectations, time constraints, and mental health pressures—can offer useful insights for schools and universities. Understanding these barriers could help decision-makers develop better strategies to support and encourage more girls and women to get involved in sports at all levels of education. The results can also be applicable in the broader strategic orientation of sports development schemes in Sharjah and the UAE. There is very good indication that the level of inspiration has risen with health awareness, self-progress, and nationalism that can be used to promote further investment in organized training areas, competition, and awareness campaigns for the individual so as to change social attitudes. Schools could also do more to reinforce links with Sharjah Women Sports (SWS) to facilitate a flow in participation in school to university athletics to counteract the general decline in female participation post-adolescence. Furthermore, realizing that a good number of restrictions are connected with not only the cultural expectations but also the logistical ones, such as the lack of transportation, time, and training facilities, the policymakers can consider supporting programs, for instance, the enhancement of transportation channels, specialized women-only sports venues, or adaptable training schedules to include academic and family obligations. Mental health in athletes might also be brought to the center focus of the issue, and counseling sessions, mentorship schemes, and psychological help might be incorporated into sports development strategies. Realizing the presence of female role models in motivating involvement as expressed in the earlier studies could help the institutions to feature the success stories of athletes in the media campaigns and host schools and ambassador programs to make the success of women's participation in sport routine. The steps would also help in promoting long-term national objectives of having more women in competitive and leadership positions in the sporting sector. Ultimately, use of the changing programs of SWS in perceptions and charges involved can be determined, and therefore any findings can serve as an example that can be repeated later in other parts of the Emirates or adapted to suit areas with comparable cultural or developmental aspects. Not only can this research lead to the enhanced participatory interest at the level of the institution, but it may also matter within a longer perspective when it comes to the social change, as the women will be more likely to take part in sports, and this necessity is promoted and unconditionally accepted as one of the stages of evolution of the communities. Moreover, the findings can be used to provide direction for future relationships between government agencies, educational institutions, and sport development organizations in the countries that pursue similar objectives throughout the UAE. To the degree that the elements of the SWS programs can successfully promote attitude change by helping increase visibility campaigns, as well as organized community outreach and culturally sensitive messages, the identification of the exact elements that contribute to the shift in attitudes among women and their families, the decision-makers, can be even more informed about which interventions might yield the most profoundly effective outcome. This focused knowledge is critical towards the process of developing sustained attendance as opposed to short-term engagement stimulated by one-time, quick programs. Second, the findings could be used to encourage the implementation of mentorship models to foster the relationship between younger girls and senior women who have excelled in sports so that the sport becomes a normal aspect of the lives of women. This mentorship may not just focus on the physical performance but can cover the other aspects of the performance, including academic advice, confidence building, and career planning in the sporting industry. These changes taken as a group over time can potentially transform the individual notions of community, creating less opposition and strengthening the notion of women's sports as a part of not just personal health but also the building of the nation, social unity, and the spirit of a culture. This research offers a basis upon which sustainable, scalable programs that maintain the standing of women in sports in various settings can be designed by offering evidence of what works. Chapter 5: Discussion 5.1 Introduction to Chapter Based on the outcomes introduced in the preceding chapter, the present one elaborates on the interpretation of the observed patterns by placing them in the greater theoretical and empirical context of women's sport participation. The results are consistent with existing studies indicating that motivation of women to participate in sport is complex and depends on the individual, social, and situational factors (Jakobsen and Evjen, 2018). Self-development, improvement of health, and personal satisfaction (inherent motivations of sport) were highly manifested in the case of Sharjah. These motivations demonstrate current trends in the literature when women start to consider sport as a way of maintaining physical health, emotional comfort, and high self-esteem (Miller et al., 2016). This is particularly pronounced in a context where larger social changes such as educational advancement, are accompanied by changes in gender expectations, and more visible or accessible women athletes, providing a more relaxed environment for participation. Meanwhile, the application of findings takes into account the impact of adding external and structural factors, such as national pride, cultural demands, and institutional support. In the UAE context, the engagement in sport is becoming more of a personal accomplishment as well as a contribution to the growth of the communities and national identity (Meier, Konjer & Krieger, 2021). Its participation for most women in Sharjah is therefore not limited to the individual but to the formation of a feeling of belongingness to the larger social and cultural context of the Emirate. This supports the idea that McClelland talks about the necessity of affiliation, which emphasizes that people can be easily driven by social attention and affiliation in prized groups (Arogundade & Akpa, 2023). The limitations identified by participants as reported by the participants of the chapter are also interpreted with regard to regional literature on the effect of logistical challenges, lack of access to resources, and cultural norms on the involvement of women in sport (Laar et al., 2019). Such results can be compared to general global trends according to which women still experience the difference in the level of exposure, access to facilities, and professional continuity that may limit active involvement even in cases when they are highly motivated. In the case of Sharjah, it implies that though the participation opportunities have become much better, further growth needs structural assistance, greater opportunities, and the policy commitment in order to turn the motivation into long-term participation. Generally, the chapter gives the analytical transition between the empirical results of Chapter 4 and the theoretical pillars examined in Chapter 2. Discussing the findings in terms of available theoretical frameworks and existing empirical studies, the chapter shows that the Sharjah context, on the one hand, signals the world issues; on the other hand, it singles out the opportunities of development in the conditions of an ever-changing sport culture. 5.2 Theoretical Contribution The theoretical implications of the results are more evident when the role of Sharjah in the wider scholarly discourse on the issue of female sport activity is put into context. The previous discussion revealed that achievement-based motivations associated with personal growth, improvements in health, and skill mastery are chief motivational desires of the women in Sharjah. This overwhelming ground in the task-related goals is very much conducive to the Achievement Goal Theory, which puts forward the idea that people following learning-based outcomes tend to demonstrate greater staying motivation and long-term commitment (Bardach et al., 2020). These perspectives in Sharjah are remarkable compared with global comparison trends where women are inclined to join and stay in sports, as it helps to improve their everyday life, develop mental toughness, and gain competence (Jakobsen and Evjen, 2018). This proves that despite the cultural differences in the surrounding environment, the psychological processes that motivate sport participation are very consistent among various groups of people. Meanwhile, the results also support the theory suggested by McClelland because they reveal that the achievement and affiliation needs play the key role in this matter. The interviews and responses to the surveys revealed that a great number of female athletes in Sharjah appreciate the experience of being included in the success of the community, representing their country, and being a part of a significant community. This has much to do with the ideas of McClelland that the feeling of belonging to a group of people may be a significant force behind the motivation, especially in some communities or cultures where collectivism is emphasized (Arogundade & Akpa, 2023). Sport in Sharjah is therefore not only about personal development but is rather strongly associated with social expectations and national representation. The pride of being a part of a tournament, making Sharjah even more recognizable, and being part of a movement that continues to bring visibility to women in the UAE proves the increasing awareness of sport as an instrument to develop the nation (Meier, Konjer & Krieger, 2021). One important lesson that comes out of this theoretical interpretation is the weak nature of power-based motivations. In contrast to the sporting contexts that are highly commercialized and professional, where contacts, sponsorship deals, and visibility of celebrity personalities motivate participation, in Sharjah, female athletes did not prioritize the financial position or celebrity recognition as the main factor of their participation. Instead, the low focus on power-based outcomes seems to recall the fact that historically, there is no available professional pathway aside from women in the region, a topic that was widely addressed in academic literature because of the fact that women's sports were traditionally recorded less, had fewer structural options, and lacked long-term career prospects (Osborne and Skillen, 2020). Career paths are narrow, and the motivation to become more powerful in terms of pursuing status and dominance is less likely to exist, and people tend to concentrate on attaining more realistic objectives within the system as it is now. Hence, the theoretical input of the results is twofold. First, it proves that the conventional academic models of motivation can be used in the cultural context of Sharjah, which confirms the relevance of these theories to other research areas outside of the Western setting. Second, it presents the ways in which social, historical, and institutional processes affect the promotion of one element of motivational theory or the other in a particular setting. The findings contribute to a better interpretation that although the psychological basis of motivation is universal, how the motivations are manifested is influenced by the possibilities, constraints, and changing institutional organization that contextualize women’s sports. 5.3 Practical Implication Drawing on these results, there are important practical implications of building on these findings for Sharjah Women Sports (SWS) as well as associated institutions. The prevalence of the intrinsic motivations, in particular the health-associated ones, the propensity related to the well-being of the psyche, and the personal mastery point to the fact that the programs underlining the various holistic advantages of sport are likely to be immensely successful in their ability to maintain and increase the involvement of women. Previous studies have indicated that female athletes are more drawn to sport advertising messages that focus on a better mood, reduction of stress, positive health, and self-confidence (Miller et al., 2016). Consequently, the focus on the importance of physical activity as the key factor behind the overall well-being of women employed in Sharjah during the public health campaigns and school-based interventions should be maintained as one of the driving factors in the study. Meanwhile, the study also explicated that affiliation-based motivation, including national pride and feeling of belonging to the community, is a key motivator towards participation. These results are corroborated by the fact that, according to Meier, Konjer, and Krieger (2021), the role of women in sports tends to turn into a purely ritualized image of national development, gender equality, and group identity. Practically speaking, Sharjah can make participation opportunities richer by providing women with a new opportunity to speak on behalf of communities, be it in a local league, a national competition, or mass events showcasing female sporting success. These motivations can be increased with the help of the media coverage and recognition on a community level to ensure the long-term involvement. The practical implications, however, are more than taking advantage of motivation, and they can also be seen in how to mitigate the structural challenges that still keep women out of sports. The paper suggested that cultural demands, time constraints, and logistics continue to be a hindrance to the access to regular training and long-term engagement. These results agree with the analysis of Laar et al. (2019), who concluded that family-related constraints, lack of transport, and the lack of access to facilities are the significant barriers that women face all over the world. In the case of Sharjah, this highlights the necessity of special interventions, including flexible workouts, sporting activities involving family, sports facilities in the neighborhoods, and transportation, including young sports people who depend a lot on guidance and mobility. Another practical issue that arose was career development. Numerous women of the participants perceived sport as a part-time activity and not a career path. This is a wider historical point that Osborne and Skillen (2020) emphasize by stating that women in sports traditionally did not have professional careers and organizations to pursue. In response to this, SWS can think of cultivating scholarship programs, mentorship programs, and professional certification paths in coaching, refereeing, sports medicine, or management. Well-defined career models can strengthen motivation and continuity and make sport a viable and respectable profession for women in Sharjah. The results in general indicate that a dual priority is essential in terms of reinforcing the already existing strong motivations and methodically minimizing the structural impediments that restrain the activities of prolonged commitment. 5.4 Recommendation Based on the findings, it is suggested that Sharjah Women Sports (SWS) and the concerned authorities: Initiate special awareness efforts that relate sports to the Islamic and Emirati moral values of health and family and overcome cultural limitations. Create and promote effective career opportunities to women in sports such as coaching, management, and athletics to reduce the limitation of fewer career opportunities. Besides these suggestions, it should also be acknowledged that effective change can only be attained through a multi-layered strategy in which the individual, community, and institutional levels are targeted at the same time. According to the results of this study, the motivation among women in Sharjah to engage in sports is high in nature, though it can only be maintained through structured programs and conducive enabling factors. To this end, SWS and other representatives might as well consider expanding partnerships with schools, universities, and community centers to develop a comprehensive spring of support. Studies have demonstrated that interdisciplinary coordination of institutions in terms of message, resources, and training opportunities has led to women having fewer breaks in their sporting careers and being better placed to remain active in the long term (Jeanes et al., 2021). Such alliances may be reinforced to make sure that young girls are exposed to sport as an active and appreciated element of their growth from childhood through adulthood. Another recommendation is strengthening community education and awareness, especially for families. In most instances families are at the center stage of decision-making over participation of women in sport-related matters, particularly where the cultural ethics still play a significant role. Research shows that family support is one of the strongest obstacles that restrict the participation of women in the world (Laar et al., 2019). Thus, SWS may establish family initiatives like open days, mother-daughter sporting programs, informational seminars, and discussions in the community that will describe the advantages of female involvement in sport to health, social, and national levels. In situations whereby the families are learned on the relevance of sport to cultural values and their positive impact on the well-being of women, they tend to believe them about the need to participate regularly. Moreover, the findings point to the issue of ensuring that a better culture of role modelling is developed. The number of female athletes in the region who are highly visible is increasing, but this is lower in comparison to that of the international environment. Meier (2015) reported that role models play a great role in female intentions to sport in a setting where the sport has traditionally been unavailable to its people. SWS could hence establish formal mentorship initiatives where professional female athletes would mentor the younger or novice members. This would not only promote retention but also assist the emerging athletes in their troubles regarding confidence, identity, and goal setting. Lastly, professional development should still be in focus. Today, the low profile of the sport and long-term careers, which include coaching, physiotherapy, event management, sports nutrition, or athletics administration, decreases the possibility of young women perceiving sport as more than an extracurricular pursuit. Explicitly, as Osborne and Skillen (2020) suggest, the history of women in sports lacks documentation, has less representation in leadership positions, and lacks professionalization. SWS can support the recognition of sport as a serious job category and not a temporary engagement by providing women with clear developmental paths, accredited degrees, and internship opportunities. This would not only help the present players; it would also influence the future generation of the women who would be venturing into the sports industry of Sharjah. 5.5 Summary Overall, the current discussion has linked the major findings of the study with the existing knowledge and previous studies. It has made clear that female in Sharjah are motivated mostly by personal health and national pride, although there are still large systemic and cultural barriers. The implications and recommendations presented are practical and give a road map that the stakeholders can use to take advantage of such motivations and mitigate the constraints. Accordingly, it is evident that the results of this study would make significant contributions to the overall knowledge about women's participation in sports in respective cultures that are dynamically changing like Sharjah. These themes found in the results help to support some major points introduced in the literature reviewed: Intrinsic motivation of health and mastery is a strong indicator among women; cultural and logistical barriers are still a challenge even in contexts where development is happening at an impressive rate (Jakobsen and Evjen, 2018; Laar et al., 2019). It is this mixture of motivation and constraint that reveals the multifaceted reality that women balance between their individual desires and social demands, between institutional forms and avenues, and it indicates that women are concentrating on their sporting activities. Moreover, the research confirms the thesis expressed by Peters, Hendry, and Hodges (2022) regarding the fact that a relative amount of research on women engaging in sports is still in the range of studies that do not consider the age, cultural background, and context conditions of new studies. Studying the experience of women in Sharjah in particular, the given research contributes to the world literature by showing that external factors like personal health and national pride may become even more important in the areas that experience social change. The research also contributes to highlighting the role of local bodies—in this case, Sharjah Women Sports—in shaping the nature of participation through facilitating the creation of conducive spaces, well-organized programs, and visible access points to participation. These results support the fact that institutional support is vital in helping women to crack the barriers, which could otherwise restrict their sporting activities (Jeanes et al., 2021). Another feature of the chapter that is worth mentioning is the reflection of the barriers to the international research on the obverse. Poor access to facilities, cultural norms of femininity, and time constraints are the most commonly acknowledged problems of women in sport in numerous countries around the world (Kruszynska and Poczta, 2020). The fact that they keep struggling in Sharjah points to the necessity of tailor-made policy interventions that extend beyond facility provision but focus on the provision of social acceptance, the development of role models, and the provision of families with the reassurance that they need to support the participation of women. It can also be compared to the conclusion that Meier (2015) made, stating that the elevation of women and their representation is part and parcel of the reimagining of the popular opinion and empowering generations of athletes in the future. Lastly, the summary of the results provided in this chapter establishes the premise of the action plans. The paper has clearly pointed out that women in Sharjah are not constrained by disinterests or inabilities but by the structural and cultural obstacles, which could be tackled through enlightened policy and long-term commitment of the institutions. Through the interconnection of the theoretical, practical, and empirical knowledge, this chapter gives credence to the need to come up with integrated strategies to help women become more involved in sports. This way, it strengthens the overall meaning of the work of the study in the local and global contexts, that further development of the matter requires the identification of the motivations of women, alleviating pressure, and constructing the frameworks that support the interests in sports on a long-term basis.� Chapter 6: Conclusion In conclusion, this research should shed light on the factors that encourage women to engage in sports and things that discourage them. The motivators can be such factors as personal interest in sports, the desire to achieve on behalf of other people, the necessity of escape, and being a fan. Cultural obstacles and mental health issues, on the flip side, are also likely to pose some of the greatest challenges. Such aspects as the availability of facilities or the fear of harm appear to be of less significance. The anticipated knowledge can be used to influence further policies and contribute to developing more inclusive sports programs that really fulfill their needs. Based on these results, the research offers some more general tips that expand the perspective on the ways women in Sharjah participate in sport and how their lives can mirror the trends in the world and the impact of the local culture. The findings validate the hypothesis that intrinsic motivations, especially those that are associated with health, personal mastery, and emotional well-being, are a core determinant in the participation. A lot of the surveyed athletes who participated in the interviews spoke of sport being an important part of their lives and that it made them feel healthier, more confident, and better equipped to deal with the daily stresses. It is a powerful finding that has much in common with prior studies, according to which the broad range of physical and psychological advantages of regular activity is potentially significant (Miller et al., 2016) and predetermines the assumption that intrinsic motivation is one of the most sustainable factors that can encourage women to participate regularly in the activity (Jakobsen and Evjen, 2018). Moreover, the paper emphasizes the value of sport as a positive escapism—another theme that fits Stenseng et al. (2023). Most of the respondents provided the reason that sports are a good escape from academic stress, social expectations, or personal responsibilities. The literature has greatly recognized this form of positive escapism as a good release that is healthy and capable of creating better life satisfaction and emotional well-being among women. In the Sharjah context, when female individuals have to manage both bifaceted cultural and educational demands, sport is not only another extracurricular experience but also a stress reliever that helps them maintain sound mental and emotional conditions. The other important learning point is associated with the affiliation and national pride. Being a representative of Sharjah or helping the general vision around female sports in the UAE was an enormous driving force for many of the participants. This is one of the wider trends in world society, where sport is presented as an instrument of identity recognition and national identification (Meier, Konjer, and Krieger, 2021; Taipei Lemus-Delgado, 2021). The feelings of pride over being featured in tournaments and being part of the sports-related growth of Sharjah confirm the idea that women's sports in the area have been closely tied to the discursive patterns of national development and a culture of change. Simultaneously, the research establishes the fact that there are recurrent limitations, which still affect participation, despite the growing opportunities. The culture of family roles, modesty, and what women can do publicly was raised as an issue through which women could not participate in sports on a regular basis. This is consistent with general results in the Middle East and South Asia, where conventions continue to play the primary role in putting women off (Laar et al., 2019). On the same note, time limitations of academic, family, and employment factors were widely mentioned. These results highlight the fact that access to facilities might have been enhanced, but structural and relationship determinants continue to influence participation in a deeper way than logistical determinants. The study also draws focus to the fact that women have not been adequately represented in sport-related literature and documentation in the past. As Osborne and Skillen (2020) point out, the contribution of women in sport has been underestimated, and there has been a small collection of success stories, role models, and longitudinal records. Not only does this gap in documentation impact the academic knowledge, but it also dictates how the society views the athletic abilities of women and their potential as leaders in the society. In the context of Sharjah and women's sports, which have developed over the last several years, documentation and research strengthening are the keys to further stimulus and evidence-based policies. To sum up, given the current study, it is possible to conclude that motivation, cultural, and structural factors are brought together to increase the participation of women in sports in Sharjah. It illuminates the gains that have been made, the driving force that still continues to make people involved, and the limiting factors that should be overcome in order to provide the long-term improvement. The results indicate that Sharjah has a solid base that it can use to further develop, or, to put it differently, strategic, culturally responsive, and evidence-based interventions are necessary to broaden the participation to an even greater extent. In terms of the results of the conducted study, the following recommendations are offered to facilitate the further evolution of women's sports in Sharjah. These guidelines signify new directions, which overlap with those presented in Chapter 5, the idea of which is also directly connected with the identified motivations and limitations within the research. Athlete Support Circles Because the research resulted in emotional health and social attachment are core areas of motivation in women, SWS ought to establish organized peer-support groups where the athletes can connect with each other, talk about their problems, and get the support of other women who have gone through the same experiences. According to Miller et al. (2016), peer networks have the potential to provide supportive value, thus strengthening emotional strength and preventing dropout. Trained members might facilitate these groups that might be conducted monthly so that the women can have secure places where they may discuss identity, cultural issues, confidence, and motivation. Research Fellowships In order to address the gaps regarding historical documentation as being mentioned by Osborne and Skillen (2020) directly, SWS must establish yearly research fellowships for graduate students or researchers in their initial career stage. These fellowships would center on writing the history, experience, and effects of women's sports in Sharjah. This would provide an educational basis for future policy-making and enhance prominence in sports studies. Continuity Programs As research indicates that dropouts are common during the transitional period that is between school and university, SWS should initiate continuity programs to keep the athletes intact during the transitional periods. These programs may involve transition counselling, flexible training programs, and school-to-club programs. This is a call similar to that of Peters, Hendry, and Hodges (2022) to create more age-sensitive research and programming. "Sports Trial Weeks" in Sharjah. Trial weeks during which women can sample different sports (with no pre-commitment) will be held at one location in each neighborhood every quarter. The advantages of these low-pressure opportunities are that they can motivate reluctant participants to make the first step (Kruszynska and Poczta, 2020). Confidence Curriculum Workshops Psychological barriers to the problem of choice could be resolved during workshops devoted to confidence-building, stereotype management, overcoming family expectations, and understanding body image. Women psychologists or counsellors should facilitate these workshops to help them overcome emotional stimuli and limitations (Miller et al., 2016). Program of Micro-Motivation Incentives The normalization of frequent engagement instead of performance can be supported with a small-incentive retention strategy of digital badges, certificates, recognition posts, participation markers, and similar. This is in line with the task-focused incentives offered by Bardach et al. (2020). Roundtables Involving Parent and Family Advisory Rather than general family-awareness approaches, SWS ought to conduct small, advisory round tables, allowing parents and guardians to express concerns and create culturally acceptable solutions together. Such a direct interaction may establish trust and impact the decisions (Laar et al., 2019). Women Sports Innovation Centers Stakeholders are expected to cooperate to create culturally appropriate athletic garments and supporting policy protocols and to shape flexible schedules of contest, community outreach efforts and support systems. Through a participatory approach, the initiatives are to become representative of the needs of the athletes and advance sustainable solutions. Final Summary On the whole, one can conclude that women in Sharjah are highly motivated, willing to take part, and can do much to enhance the sporting environment that is already emerging in the UAE. Their reasons are varied and worthy and include health and mastery, identity and pride, and the limitations are entrenched in cultural demands as well as emotional well-being, not just access or logistics. By critical, culturally responsive, and evidence-based intervention, Sharjah Women Sports (SWS) can enhance its perspective as a regional head and innovator in promoting the involvement of women in sports.

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Appendices Appendix 1: Qualitative Questions Dear SWS athlete, Thank you for taking the time to be part of this important study. This interview is part of a Master’s thesis in Sports Management at the American Emirates University, focusing on understanding the factors that motivate and limit women’s participation in sports in Sharjah. Your experiences, opinions, and honest answers are extremely valuable. By sharing your perspective, you will directly contribute to improving future programs, support systems, and opportunities at Sharjah Women’s Sports and within the wider sports community in the Emirate. This interview will take only a few minutes, and all responses will remain confidential and used solely for academic and development purposes. Your participation will help shape better policies, training environments, and pathways for female athletes—both now and for future generations. Thank you for your time, your voice, and your contribution to the advancement of women’s sports in Sharjah. We truly appreciate your participation. Best wishes, Alyazia Al Suwaidi Qualitative Interview Guide: Motivation and Constraints in Women’s Sports in Sharjah, UAE

The interview is directed at exploring different factors that can shape positive or negative experiences about their participation in sports in Sharjah. The interview will help in collecting qualitative responses of interviewees about their personal, social and cultural perspectives on the women’s participation and development in sports within Sharjah.

Interview Structure Overview

1. Background and personal story

2. Motivation factors

3. Constraints and challenges

4. Systemic and cultural influences

5. Future outlook and recommendations

Section A: Background

1. When and by what means did you start to play sports?

2. Kindly mention your level of involvement in sports (amateur, competitive, professional)?

3. Please mention your personal experience with sports facilities in Sharjah that motivated you to take part in sports

Section B: Motivation

4. Please state some motivating factors for you to take part in Sporting activities regularly?

5. According to you how factors such as recognition, national representation and financial rewards can shape your intentions towards sports?

6. Do you think that community or family support is the most motivating factor to take part in sports? Please mention in brief

7. Who is your role model (Emirati or Arab female athletes)? Please mention why

Section C: Constraints and Challenges

8. What obstacles have you observed in Sharjah that restrict women to take part in sports?

9. Please mention your personal experience about availability of facilities such as sports complex, coaching facilities and equipment?

10. Do you think that financial obstacles like lack of funding and sponsorship can directly affect your participation in sports?

11. How cultural and societal stereotype that negatively affect women to participate in sport activities?

Section D: Institutional and Systemic Factors

12. How do you think that current system in Sharjah is supporting for female participation in sports?

13. What suggestions do you want to give to schools or government to enhance women participation in sports?

Section E: Future Outlook

14. What opportunities do you see about the future of female sports in Sharjah?

15. What changes do you propose in the current system of Sharjah to enhance female participation in sports?

Appendix 2: Quantitative Questions Motivation and Constraints in Women’s Sports in Sharjah, UAE

Thank you for taking part in this research study conducted as part of a Master’s Degree in Sports Management. This survey aims to explore the motivations and constraints influencing women’s participation in sports in Sharjah, UAE. Your responses are confidential and anonymous. There are no right or wrong answers — please answer honestly based on your personal experiences. It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete.

Section A: Demographic Information

1. Age: Under 18 / 18–24 / 25–29 / 30–34 / 35–39 / 40 and above

2. Nationality: Emirati / Arab (Resident) / Foreign (Resident) / Other

3. Education Level: High School or below / Bachelor’s Degree / Master’s Degree / Doctorate / Other

4. Employment Status: Student / Employed full-time / Employed part-time / Unemployed / Homemaker / Full time athlete

5. Marital Status: Single / Married / Divorced / Widowed

6. Do you have children? Yes / No

Section B: Sports Participation

7. Do you currently participate in any sport? Yes / No

8. If yes, which sport(s)? __________________________,

9. How often do you train or play sports per week? Once / 2–3 times / 4–5 times / Daily / Occasionally

10. Where do you usually practice sports? Sports club / School or University / Gym / Public area / At home

11. Have you ever represented a club, university, or the UAE in sports? Yes / No

12. Which?________________

Section C: Motivation Factors

Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree → 7 = Strongly Agree

13. I play sports because I enjoy being active.

14. Sports help me improve my health and fitness.

15. Competing and achieving success motivates me.

16. I am motivated by the possibility of earning a salary or financial reward.

17. Representing Sharjah or the UAE gives me pride and motivation.

18. Family support encourages me to stay involved in sports.

19. Having good coaching motivates me to continue.

20. I am motivated when there are competitions or leagues to participate in.

21. Recognition and appreciation from others make me more committed.

22. I am inspired by successful Emirati or Arab women athletes.

23. I am motivated to be on social media and TV.

Section D: Constraints and Barriers

Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree → 7 = Strongly Agree

24. There are not enough suitable sports facilities for women in Sharjah.

25. The timing of training sessions or competitions is inconvenient.

26. Transportation to and from sports venues is difficult.

27. Family or cultural expectations sometimes limit my ability to participate.

28. Lack of financial incentives or salaries reduces my motivation.

29. There are limited professional pathways for women in sports.

30. There is not enough media coverage or awareness about women’s sports.

31. I don’t feel safe or comfortable in some sports environments.

32. There is limited support from schools or workplaces to encourage women’s sports.

33. I don’t have enough information about where to practice sports.

Section E: Attitudes and Future Intentions

Scale: 1 = Strongly Disagree → 7 = Strongly Agree

34. I believe women’s sports in the UAE are developing positively.

35. I feel confident that more opportunities will appear in the next 5 years.

36. I would like to see more investment in women’s sports facilities.

37. I would encourage my daughters/sisters to join sports.

38. I am willing to participate in future programs or studies to improve women’s sports in Sharjah.

Section F: Open Questions (Optional)

39. What do you think is the biggest challenge for women in sports in Sharjah?

40. What motivates you personally to stay in sports? Thank you for your valuable time and input. Your participation will help us better understand how to develop women’s sports opportunities in Sharjah and the UAE.

Appendix 3: No Objective Certificate