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

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1       BACKGROUND TO THE STUDY

Participation in sports dates back almost as far as man himself. Humans had to work hard to get food, hunt animals, cultivate and find a place to live during the time of the Stone Age. During his quest for daily food, he is likely to be pursued by animals (both domestic and wild), causing him to flee for his life in order to survive. As a result, early man's engagement in sports activities served as a means of ensuring his survival. "Sports" is defined by the United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Development and Peace 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 and games." Adedeji (2007) defined sports as a sub-division of games that share traits such as physical performance, adherence to a standard set of rules that must be observed by all participants, and the presence of an opponent. In the last half century, the growth of youth athletic groups has brought about a new feature of children's socialization and a shift in the nature of their recreational activities (Coakley 2006). Organized youth athletics, in particular, is highly regarded by many youngsters as a popular extracurricular activity that may be both 'fun and participative' and/or "competitive and winning," according to the children. In addition, many parents appreciate organized youth sports and actively seek out programs for their children's participation. Parents believe that participation in organized sports may benefit their child's physical and social development, as well as their child's self-esteem (Iwasaki, 2005; Coakley, 2006). Aside from character development, organized youth sport is considered to provide vital cultural teachings in the areas of collaboration, responsibility, cooperation, and competitiveness; all of which are traits that are highly appreciated in a capitalist society (Kinney and Hofferth, 2003).

The significance of sports to a country cannot be overstated, particularly among the young, who are often the driving force behind national concerns of all kinds. Sports help to develop the physical, social, mental, and emotional skills of young people. Butcher (2008) said that participation in sports creates settings that are physically healthful, psychologically exciting, and beneficial to society as a whole. Sport for young people is encouraged when organized, and participation in such activities is considered as a way to treat disease, to promote cultural change, and to be a source of cash generating for the country (Odejide, 2006).

In recent years, organized youth sport has been the subject of much study, especially in terms of establishing the advantages of involvement. The psychological, moral, and physical significance of a child's athletic experiences as they relate to his or her growth, development, and performance have all been investigated in recent years. A special mention should be made of the physical advantages that sport provides in terms of reducing childhood obesity and preventing negative risk behaviors such as alcohol and drug abuse (Iwasaki, 2005).

It has been pointed out by Coakley and Donnelly(2009) that "organized sports is often a family affair."

Participation in sports programs, when seen from the viewpoint of everyday activities, minimizes boredom and the amount of time kids spend in idle, unsupervised social situations. As a result, sports players, as compared to their uninvolved peers, have less unsupervised free time in which to participate in dangerous behaviors – such as violence – than they do (Bailey, 2005). Ogundare (2007) said that since sports give experiences that aid in the achievement of a meaningful lifestyle, they should be included as an intrinsic element of the National Education Program. If organized youth sports programs are located in high-risk communities where vandalism, property crime, drug dealing, and gang activity are prevalent, the theory goes, the physical presence of participants (including adult supervisors and athletes) will deter youth from engaging in criminal activity in that community (Nichols and Crow, 2004). Young people's psychological development may be influenced by their participation in sports. Some thinkers, for example, assert that since delinquent juveniles often crave excitement and stimulation, athletics might provide a viable alternative to anti-social conduct in these children. The impact of the family on the active desire and individual ambitions of youngsters (children) to engage in sports is significant. Yusuf and Urom (2002) discovered that the parents of Olympic athletes had a tendency to participate in activities that are comparable to their own. Organized youth sports provide individuals with sporting abilities that they may use during their leisure time, pursue as a job, or utilize as a health-enhancing tool; many young people are formed as a result of their involvement in sports. Berger and Littlefield (2005) said that engagement in sports may promote the development of favorable personality qualities, which may in turn increase one's appeal to other people.

1.2       STATEMENT OF PROBLEM:

Mandelbaum (2005) and Ivaniushina & Zapletina (2015) found that "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 accomplishment to symptoms of deviant conduct." Students benefit from sports and games because they give them with energy and a healthy lifestyle, as well as a feeling of solidarity, collaboration, and discipline, all of which improve their academic achievement. It is possible that sports and games have been neglected in both public and private secondary schools as compared to the previous scenario up to the 1990s, which was the period when a strong emphasis on sports and games in secondary schools came to an end. If students are not encouraged to participate in sports and activities in secondary schools, this might result in lethargy, a bad connection between students and instructors, sicknesses, and discord among students. The lack of sports and games in public schools may result in a variety of difficulties for students in many parts of their lives, including social, economic, and political issues, as well as academic achievement (Gorton, 2010).

1.3       OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

The general objective of the study is to examined factors responsible for the organization of youths sports activities in some selected secondary schools. Specifically, the study will be guided under the following:

i.          To examine the reason for organizing sport activities in secondary schools.

ii.        To find out the effect of sport activities on a students well being.

iii.      To evaluate the challenges in organizing sport activities for secondary school students.

1.4       RESEARCH QUESTIONS:

Below are the research questions that will be explored in this study’

i.          What is the reason for organizing sport activities in secondary schools?

ii.        What are the effect of sport activities on a students well being?

iii.      What are the challenges in organizing sport activities for secondary school students?

1.5       SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY:

This study will be of benefits to school authority as they will be exposed to the challenges of organizing sport activities and the benefit of sport activities.

This study is expected to point out to the factors that stand as obstacles to making the organization of sports activities possible and successful. It will also recommend some ways to mitigate or deal with those obstacles, thereby leading to a positive result that will be beneficial to the youths, the government and the society at large.

The study will be of benefit to the academic community as it will contribute to the existing literature.

1.6       SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study will examine the reason for organizing sport activities in secondary schools. The study will also find out the effect of sport activities on a students well being. Lastly, the study will evaluate the challenges in organizing sport activities for secondary school students. Hence the study will be delimited to Kwara state.

1.7       LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

Like in every human endeavour, the researchers encountered slight constraints while carrying out the study. Insufficient funds tend to impede the efficiency of the researcher in sourcing for the relevant materials, literature, or information and in the process of data collection (internet, questionnaire, and interview), which is why the researcher resorted to a moderate choice of sample size. More so, the researcher will simultaneously engage in this study with other academic work. As a result, the amount of time spent on research will be reduced.

1.8       DEFINITION OF TERMS

Sport: This involves all form of competitive activity through casual or organized participation aim to use, maintain or improve ability and provide entertainment to participants.

Organization: To organize means to put together into an orderly, functional and structured whole.

Activities: the condition in which things are happening or being done.

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

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