Factors Affect Project Athletes' Development To Clubs In Some Selected Athletics Projects In Metekle Zone

Abstract

Introduction: Athletics sport is an exclusive collection of sporting events that involve competitive running, jumping, throwing and walking. Currently, different projects are established throughout the world and developing grassroots and novice athletes into clubs. However, this development is not balanced in developing and developed countries with the factors that affect project athletes' development to clubs in some selected athletics projects in the Benishangul Gumuz region less known. Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors that affect project athletes' development in athletics clubs in the case of some selected athletics project training centres in the Benishangul Gumuz Region, U-17 athletics projects in Metekel Zone. Methods: This research study was mixed with a quantitative and qualitative type of research. The participants in this research consisted of 135 project athletes, 6 coaches and 1 expert from the zone sports office. The participants were selected by a purposive and random sampling method. The major data collection instruments in this study were questionnaires, interviews, and field observation. The questionnaires were administered to both project athletes and coaches of the athletics projects to consolidate the information obtained from the questionnaires and a semi-structured interview was conducted with six coaches and one zonal sports office expert. In analyzing the data, both quantitative and qualitative methods are used. Accordingly, all the close-ended questions of the questionnaires were analyzed quantitatively using frequency count and percentage and the data obtained from semi-structured questions of interviews and observation were analyzed qualitatively in descriptive statements. Results: The major finding of the study related to factors that affect project athletes' development in clubs in athletics project training centres indicated the method and systems used by the coach. Among the detailed factors are a lack of a well-planned training program 70(52%), a shortage of appropriate competition by the administrative bodies for athletes 123(91.1), and the deficient selection and recruitment criteria by coaches 79 (58.5%). Regarding the Interview result: the majority of the coaches replied that they face a lack of enough facilities and equipment, less parent support, and an inconvenient training environment including a deficiency of nutritional supply for athletes. Conclusion: Based on the above finding the following conclusion gives the coach must use a planned training program, and talent selection criteria, the federal as well as regional athletics federations shall fulfil the necessary facilities and equipment are crucial.