School Sport and Its Effect on the Development of Athletes in Some Selected Primary Schools in Jimma Zone

Abstract

This study aims to assess school sport and its impact on the development of athletes by focusing on some selected primary schools in five woredas of Jimma Zone. Specifically the study explored school sport variables; sporting activities, school competition, sport club activities and sport programs and associated challenges at primary schools second cycle grades (Grade 5-8) and its contribution for the development of athletes. In other words, the study is tied to address why school sporting activities and school competition, which would have been the source of talent identification and recruitment, are less visible and less vibrant these days. A survey design was adopted to address the research problem. Quantitative data was collected through questionnaires from 81 study subjects comprising school principals, sports teachers and Woreda sports officers. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools such as frequency, percent, mean, standard deviation, Chi-square and analysis of variance were employed to answer basic research questions. The result generally reveals that school sport is lacking due attention. Sporting activities observed were few and its practice was poor. The competition was also rare and seldom include athletics. Lack of trained sport teachers, lack of support from school and woredas and lack of sport facilities were also affected school sport. Thus schools are increasingly playing diminishing role in the development of youth athlete. For school sport to have a positive impact on the development of athletes stakeholders should work addressing the challenges.