Author(s): CHANG, Y.H., TAN, T.C., HUANG, Y.W., Institution: NATIONAL TAIWAN NORMAL UNIVERSITY, Country: TAIWAN, Abstract-ID: 539

A major contribution to the development of football in the world can be attributed to FIFA and its affiliated continental and national associations. Typically, the heads of these associations play a crucial decision-making role, influencing the development of football in their respective countries or continents. The purpose of this study is therefore to investigate the identity of the presidents of the Chinese Taipei Football Association (CTFA). As part of our qualitative content analysis, we gathered relevant literature, historical materials, and conducted interviews with 11 individuals, including CTFA council members, sports journalists, government officials, and sports scholars. In this study, the elite theory is utilized to investigate the composition of identity and power resources of successive CTFA presidents and their relation to political change in Taiwan. Following are the results of the study. 1. In the authoritarian era (1955-1987), presidents were primarily active-duty military elites affiliated with the Nationalist Party (KMT), which facilitated the close relationship between the military and the CTFA. 2. Following the democratic transition (1987-2000), retired military and political elites assumed leadership roles. 3. During the period of democratic diversification (2000 to the present), economic and political elites have dominated the presidency. As Taiwans political parties have switched, the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has expressed a strong interest in holding the position of CTFA presidency. It is clear that the presidency of the CTFA has a close and dynamic relationship with the development of Taiwans political system. During democratization, their sources of power undergo significant changes, and successive leaders often possess distinct elite statuses. This clearly resonates with the phenomenon highlighted in elite theory, where a minority category of power elites continues to dominate leadership regardless of political regime changes.