Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to explore the existed challenges and practice of talent
identification of athletes in some athletics projects in Bench Maji and Kaffa Zones. In order to
achieve the proposed study, cross-sectional design was applied. Both primary and secondary
data sources were used. In these Zones four athletics projects namely Bonga, Guraferda, Tello
and Bita were included in the study. In case 9 Zone Sport officers, 8Woreda sport officers and 4
coaches were selected by using purposive technique and 49athletes/trainees (by using simple
random sample technique) a total of 70 were selected to be the subjects of the study. Generally
mixed (probability and non – probability) sampling techniques were used for this study.
Questionnaire, interview, and observation have been used as data collection instruments. The
data have been analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods by describing
statements and Mean, standard deviations, calculated through the help of Statistical Package for
Social Sciences (SPSS version 21) were used to analyze the quantitative data obtained from
research questions. Percentages and frequency of responses to the survey were compiled and
presented in frequency tables. The null hypotheses were tested using chi-square. The findings
indicated that absence of sport talent identification programs, inadequate financial and technical
support by the stalk holders, absence of knowledgeable coaches on talent identification, absence
of necessary equipment for training and to carryout talent identification process, no
opportunities for athletes to participate in competitions, lack of sport scholarship for potential
talented athletes and other related problems. Finally the researcher on the basis of findings of
the study recommendations were drawn, Regional Athletics federation should find away to
upgrade the knowledge of coaches and formulate and apply programs for identifying athletes
with potential, Regional Athletics Federation and offices of Zone Youth and Sport bureau should
be work with different stalk holders to fulfill the constraints of sources.
