Maintenances and management of sports facilities as leverage for sports participation among undergraduate athletes in Kogi State

Abstract

This study examined the maintenance and management of sports facilities as leverage for sports participation among undergraduate athletes in Kogi State. The population for the study comprised 820 registered athletes in Kogi State Universities as at time of this study. 410 representing 50% of the respondents were selected using stratified random sampling technique. While, purposive sampling technique was used to select the Directors of sport and Coaches. The instrument for data collection was self-constructed questionnaire, validated and tested for reliability. The reliability coefficient of 0.87 was obtained. Inferential statistic of Pearson Product Moment Correlation was used to analyze the two null hypotheses set for the study at 0.05 alpha level of significance. Maintenance of sports facilities will not significantly influence participation in sports with cal. r-val. of .081< crit. r-val. of .165 with 408 df at 0.05 alpha level and Professional manager of sports facilities will significantly influence athletes’ participation in sports with cal. r-val. of .339 > crit. r-val. of .165 with 408 df at 0.05 alpha level.  Whether sport facilities are adequately maintained or not athletes still engaged in sporting activities in Kogi State Universities with or without adequate maintenance which may be due to self-motivation. Adequate management of existing sports facilities by professional manager will ensure its functionality, comfort, safety, and efficiency in the use of such facilities.