FACTORS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF YOUTHS SPORTS ACTIVITIES IN SOME SELECTED SECONDARY SCHOOLS

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Sports participation dates back almost as far as man himself. During the Stone Age, humans had to work hard to get food, hunt animals, cultivate, and find a place to live. He is likely to be pursued by animals (both domestic and wild) while seeking daily food, forcing him to flee for his life in order to survive. As a result, early man’s participation in sports was a means of ensuring his survival. The UN Inter-Agency Task Force on Development and Peace defines sports as “any activity that promotes physical fitness and mental well-being while also fostering social interactions,” such as “playing, relaxing, participating in organized or competitive sports, and participating in indigenous sports.” Adedeji (2007) defined sports as a subset of games that share characteristics such as physical performance, adherence to a standard set of rules that all participants must follow, and the presence of an opponent. The growth of youth athletic groups over the last half-century has resulted in a new feature of children’s socialization as well as a shift in the nature of their recreational activities (Coakley 2006). Many children regard organized youth athletics in particular as a popular extracurricular activity that can be both “fun and participative” and/or “competitive and winning,” according to the children. Furthermore, many parents value organized youth sports and actively seek out programs in which their children can participate. Parents believe that participation in organized sports is beneficial.

may help their child’s physical and social development, as well as self-esteem (Iwasaki, 2005; Coakley, 2006). Aside from character development, organized youth sports are thought to provide important cultural teachings in the areas of collaboration, responsibility, cooperation, and competitiveness, all of which are highly valued in a capitalist society (Kinney and Hofferth, 2003).

Sports are extremely important to a country, especially among the young, who are often the driving force behind national concerns of all kinds. Sports help young people develop their physical, social, mental, and emotional skills. According to Butcher (2008), participation in sports creates environments that are physically healthy, psychologically exciting, and beneficial to society as a whole. Sport is important for young people.

When organized, such activities are encouraged, and participation in such activities is viewed as a way to treat disease, promote cultural change, and generate revenue for the country (Odejide, 2006).

In recent years, organized youth sports have been the subject of extensive research, particularly in terms of determining the benefits of participation. In recent years, researchers have looked into the psychological, moral, and physical implications of a child’s athletic experiences as they relate to his or her growth, development, and performance. Sport provides significant physical benefits in terms of reducing childhood obesity and preventing negative risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse (Iwasaki, 2005).

Coakley and Donnelly have both mentioned it (2009)

that “organized sports are frequently a family affair”

When viewed in the context of everyday activities, participation in sports programs reduces boredom and the amount of time children spend in idle, unsupervised social situations. As a result, when compared to their uninvolved peers, athletes have less unsupervised free time to engage in dangerous behaviors such as violence (Bailey, 2005). According to Ogundare (2007), sports should be included as an intrinsic component of the National Education Program because they provide experiences that aid in the achievement of a meaningful lifestyle. The theory goes that if organized youth sports programs are located in high-risk communities where vandalism, property crime, drug dealing, and gang activity are prevalent, the physical presence of participants (including children) will reduce the likelihood of vandalism. Youth will be discouraged from engaging in criminal activity in that community if adult supervisors and athletes are present (Nichols and Crow, 2004). Sports participation may have an impact on the psychological development of young people. Some argue that because delinquent juveniles often crave excitement and stimulation, athletics may provide a viable alternative to anti-social behavior in these children. The influence of the family on the active desire and individual ambitions of children to participate in sports is significant. Yusuf and Urom (2002) discovered that the parents of Olympic athletes tended to engage in activities similar to their own. Organized youth sports provide individuals with sporting abilities that they can use in their spare time, pursue as a career, or use as a hobby.

a health-improving tool; participation in sports shapes many young people. According to Berger and Littlefield (2005), participation in sports may promote the development of positive personality traits, which may increase one’s appeal to others.

1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM:

Sports and games are a significant component of children and adolescents’ daily lives, and they have an impact on a variety of aspects of their lives, ranging from academic achievement to symptoms of deviant behavior, according to Mandelbaum (2005) and Ivaniushina & Zapletina (2015). Sports and games benefit students by providing them with energy and a healthy lifestyle, as well as a sense of solidarity, collaboration, and discipline, all of which improve their academic performance. It is

Sports and games may have been neglected in both public and private secondary schools compared to the previous scenario up to the 1990s, when a strong emphasis on sports and games in secondary schools ended. If students are not encouraged to participate in sports and activities in secondary schools, this can lead to laziness, a strained relationship between students and teachers, illnesses, and student discord. The absence of sports and games in public schools may cause students to struggle in many areas of their lives, including social, economic, and political issues, as well as academic achievement (Gorton, 2010).

1.3 OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The study’s overarching goal is to

The factors responsible for the organization of youth sports activities in some selected secondary schools were investigated. The research will be guided by the following criteria:

i. Investigate the rationale for organizing sports activities in secondary schools.

ii. Determine the impact of sports activities on a student’s well-being.

iii. To assess the difficulties in organizing sports activities for secondary school students.

1.4 QUESTIONS FOR RESEARCH:

The research questions that will be investigated in this study are listed below.

i. What is the purpose of organizing sports activities in secondary schools?

ii. How do sporting activities affect a student’s well-being?

What are the difficulties in organizing sports activities for secondary school students?

1.5 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE STUDY:

This research will be useful.

Benefits to school authorities because they will be exposed to the challenges of organizing sports activities as well as the benefits of sports activities.

This study is expected to identify the factors that stand in the way of making sports activity organization possible and successful. It will also recommend ways to mitigate or deal with those obstacles, resulting in a positive outcome that will benefit youths, the government, and society as a whole.

The study will benefit the academic community because it will add to the existing literature.

1.6 THE STUDY’S OBJECTIVE

The purpose of organizing sports activities in secondary schools will be investigated in this study. The study will also look into the impact of sports.

The impact of activities on a student’s well-being. Finally, the study will assess the difficulties in organizing sports activities for secondary school students. As a result, the study will be limited to Kwara state.

1.7 RESTRICTIONS OF THE STUDY

The researchers encountered minor constraints while conducting the study, as with any human endeavor. Inadequate funds tend to impede the researcher’s efficiency in sourcing relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as in the data collection process (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher chose a moderate sample size. Furthermore, the researcher will conduct this study alongside other academic work. As a result, the time spent researching will be reduced.

1.8 DEFINITIONS OF TERMS

Sport:

This includes all forms of competitive activity, whether casual or organized, with the goal of using, maintaining, or improving ability and providing entertainment to participants.

Organization: To organize is to bring things together in an orderly, functional, and structured manner.

Activities: the state in which things happen or are done.

Factor: A latin word meaning “who or which acts”.

 

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