Path of Science: International Electronic Scientific Journal

Sports management is a key factor in supporting athlete development and improving regional sports performance. A sports organisation's success depends not only on athletes' abilities but also on the effectiveness of management functions, including planning, organising, executing, and supervising. Bireuen Regency has shown a significant improvement in athletic performance at the Aceh Sports Week (PORA), rising from 19th place in the 2018 PORA to 6th place in the 2022 PORA. Based on these findings, this study aims to analyse Bireuen Regency KONI's management in enhancing athlete performance in preparation for the 2026 Aceh Jaya PORA. This study employs a qualitative approach with a descriptive design. The research informants consisted of 11 individuals, including the Executive Chair of KONI, the Deputy Secretary, the Head of the Performance Development Division, the Head of the Planning and Budgeting Division, the Head of the Research and Development Division, the Head of the Public Relations Division, and sports branch officials. Data collection was conducted through in-depth interviews, documentation, and source triangulation. Data analysis utilised the Miles, Huberman, and Saldaña model, which includes data condensation, data presentation, and drawing conclusions and verification. The results indicate that KONI management in Bireuen Regency has functioned well through planning, organising, executing, and controlling. Planning is carried out by setting performance targets and prioritising sports disciplines; organising is supported by an organisational structure and coordination across departments; implementation is realised through training centre (TC) programs, athlete development, and performance bonuses; while supervision is conducted through periodic monitoring and evaluation. Improvements in Bireuen Regency's sports performance indicate that implementing management functions has positively contributed to athlete development. However, budget constraints, limited facilities and infrastructure, and a lack of optimal ongoing development and supervision remain challenges that need to be addressed. This study reaffirms that implementing effective sports management is crucial to improving athlete performance and the success of competitive sports development at the local level.

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