Motivation and inclusion

the case of the first brazilian women's national amputee football team

Abstract

The participation of women with disabilities in amputee football represents
advances in social inclusion and the strengthening of Paralympic sport. This case study, with a quantitative and qualitative approach, investigated the motivational factors and aspects of inclusion of athletes from the first Brazilian national team in the sport through a semi-structured questionnaire applied to ten athletes who participated in the first Women's World Cup. The analysis combined descriptive statistics and content analysis. The main motivators identified were the pleasure of practicing the sport and social recognition, although the athletes reported challenges such as the lack of recognition and financial support. We conclude that the sport is a tool for personal and social development, requiring institutional and financial support to strengthen the female presence in Paralympic sport.