Abstract:
The global quest for Quality Physical Education (QPE) remains largely under-achieved despite
initiatives of international organisations like United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural
Organisation (UNESCO) as well as the International Council for Sport Science and Physical
Education (ICSSPE). This qualitative content analysis of primary and secondary literature on QPE
aims to provide an overview involving the role of ICSSPE as an internationally recognised
organisation. Founded in 1958, its goals involve inclusive perspectives from different disciplines
in sport, physical education and sport science. ICSSPE’s significant footprints on QPE are in
advocacy, research, policy making and education. Since its inception, ICSSPE has sought to be an
international leader in physical education and sport science in collaborative initiatives representing
diverse organisational members. From a thorough perusal of the literature that has been presented,
ICSSPE has made substantive footprints in policy making through its leadership and participation
in formal declarations, agendas, and plans, specifically through UNESCO, IOC (International
Olympic Committee), and WHO. They have also made footprints at scientific conferences in
collaboration with IOC and others by hosting pre-Olympic scientific conferences, keynote
speakers, and notable scientific publications involving physical education and sport, such as the
Directory of Sport Science in its 6th edition, the Bulletin with 73 issues, and the Perspectives
Series, 14 volumes from 1999 to present, published by Routledge. It is recommended that ICSSPE
continues to discover innovative strategies that are region-specific to determine solutions that are
context-specific to delivery and practice of QPE based upon core principles that have been devised
by international organisations.
