Competitiveness of the sport system in the Republic of Srpska

Abstract

In recent years, elite sport systems have become the subject of numerous benchmarking research, and a method for measuring their competitiveness was developed. This study aimed to improve the methodology of the existing model of measuring sport system competitiveness at the international level, which should bring about improvements in the theoretical understanding of sporting success factors in individual nations. In fact, this study has improved the methodology of the model that already exist and is used for measures of competitiveness of the sports system. Particularly, the study contributed to appraising the level of development and significance, of key sporting success factors. Evaluation of policies of elite sports in the Republic of Srpska was used to measure sporting success factors through the input–throughput–output process. The results of this study pointed to the cause of the inadequate competitiveness of the elite sport system in the Republic of Srpska. The study exceeded the qualitative level of policy development for elite sports and for the first time, sporting success factors for the Republic of Srpska have been expressed quantitatively as well. Namely, competition in sports is getting higher, and top international success can only be achieved if there is a balance between effectiveness and efficiency. The success of sports and athletes in the Republic of Srpska will require a long-term and stable system for developing elite sports, which must have a much higher level of support in terms of finances, human resources and science than it has been the case so far.