THE EFFECT OF A SPORTS COUNSELING PROGRAM ON IMPROVING THE LEVEL OF AMBITION AMONG PARALYMPIC ATHLETES IN ANBAR GOVERNORATE

Abstract

Research Objective: The study aimed to design and implement a sports counseling program and identify its effect on improving the level of ambition among Paralympic athletes in Anbar Governorate, in response to the observed decline in psychological and motivational aspects among this category. Methodology: The researchers adopted the experimental method with a design of two equivalent groups (control and experimental) due to its suitability for the nature of the research. Sample: The main application sample consisted of (60) athletes selected using the total enumeration method. They were randomly divided into two equal groups of (30) athletes each. Procedure: The Ambition Scale was applied, and the experimental group underwent a counseling program consisting of (12) qualitative sessions distributed over six weeks, focusing on self-discovery and goal setting. Results: Statistical results showed a significant superiority for the experimental group, where the arithmetic mean of the level of ambition rose from (58) in the pre-test to (72) in the post-test, with a calculated (t) value of (11.71), which is significant at the (0.05) level. In contrast, the control group did not record substantial development (post-test mean: 64). Conclusion: The study concluded the effectiveness of the program in raising the ceiling of the athletes' ambitions and enhancing confidence in their abilities, recommending the necessity of integrating psychological counseling into training units for teams with special needs