Abstract

This research aimed to develop a smart leadership scale for referees of the Iraqi Para Taekwondo Federation, identify the refereeing performance and effective refereeing among Para Taekwondo referees in Iraq, and determine the relationship between refereeing performance and effective refereeing among Para Taekwondo referees in Iraq. The researchers adopted a descriptive survey methodology, deemed suitable for the nature of the research. The research population consisted of all (52) referees of the Iraqi Central Para Taekwondo Federation. The researchers selected the research sample from this population and formulated (31) statements. Experts reviewed these, and four statements were removed. Subsequently, scientific principles were applied, resulting in a scale of (27) statements. The final version of the scale was then administered to the research sample from October 11, 2025, to November 15, 2025. The researchers concluded that there is a positive relationship between refereeing performance and smart leadership among referees; Iraqi Para Taekwondo referees possess a good level of refereeing performance and intelligent leadership, and the level of refereeing performance increases with the degree of intelligent leadership. The possibility of adopting intelligent leadership standards to identify and monitor Iraqi Para Taekwondo referees based on the aforementioned variables, attention should be given to Iraqi Para Taekwondo referees to enhance their intelligent leadership capabilities and provide training in this area, given its significant role in the effectiveness of their performance in the matches they officiate, and the Iraqi Federation’s curriculum for Para Taekwondo and the Central Referees Committee should include development courses related to smart leadership.