A research on the social security rights of actual professional athletes

Aim: This research was carried out in order to propose an application for the inclusion of de facto professional athletes, who work as workers in all sports branches, maintain their lives through sports and earn a regular income, within the scope of social security, with the industrialization of sports. In this context, it has been stated that there are necessary conditions for professional athletes to be insured with 4/1-a, and the risk factors that create the need for social security in sports are examined in detail within the scope of short and long term insurance branches and sports branches. Materials and Methods: In the research, phenomenology design from qualitative research methods were used. The study group of the research consists of 22 participants, including 4 undercover professional athletes, 5 professional athletes, 2 club managers, 3 national trainers, 2 international referees, 1 manager, 3 social security specialists, 2 private insurance specialists. As a data collection tool, a semi-structured interview form consisting of 11 questions created by the researcher was used. The data obtained from the interviews with the participants were transferred to the Nvivo 10 program and content and descriptive analyzes were made. Findings: According to the findings obtained from the research data, the main theme of "Social Risks in Sports", "Occupational Accident and Occupational Disease in Sports", "Athlete's Sickness ", "Maternity in Sports", "Unemployment in Sports", "Disability in Sports", "Occupational Disease in Sports" and "Death in Sports" sub-themes emerged. According to these sub-themes, it has been found that there are risk factors in sports that create the need for social security and that the necessary conditions are met for professional athletes to be insured against these social risks within the scope of 4/1-a. Conclusion: In the face of the possibility that social risks cause a decrease in people's incomes and an increase in their expenses and that they may fall into poverty, individuals are included in the scope of social security and are protected against these risks. These social risks, which are also specific to sports, pose a risk for athletes. The study and the literature examined show that the most basic of success in sports is the feeling of feeling under the guarantee of the athlete. An athlete whose future is not guaranteed and who works insecure cannot be said to be fully focused on success and motivated. It can be said that success will increase and sports will become more widespread, with the solution of these problems and the inclusion of professional athletes in the scope of insurance against social risks in sports.