ABSTRACT
Sports participation plays a crucial role in the holistic development of university students, enhancing their physical health, social well-being, and academic performance. However, student engagement in sports is influenced by various administrative and social determinants. This study examines the administrative and social factors that impact students’ participation in sports at the University of Benin. The research focuses on administrative determinants such as the availability of qualified personnel, leadership styles of school authorities, funding, scheduling of sports programs, and the availability of sports facilities and equipment. It also explores social determinants, including peer influence, parental influence, religious beliefs, cultural attitudes, and gender dynamics. To guide the study, eight research questions were raised with corresponding hypotheses. The hypotheses were tested at 0.05 level of significance.
The descriptive survey research was adopted in the study. The study employs statistical methods to analyse the relationships between these determinants and students’ level of participation in sports activities. The population of this study was made up of 40784 students. The sample size of 396 was selected using the Taro Yamane formula sampling technique. The research instrument used for data gathering in the study was a self-structured questionnaire. The instrument was validated by the researcher's supervisor and two other experts in the Department of Human Kinetics and Sports Science. The Cronbach alpha statistics was used to establish the reliability of the instrument and the r-value of 0.831 was obtained. Data were analysed using descriptives (frequency counts, percentages, means, standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Pearson correlation, T-Test).
The findings indicate that administrative support, adequate funding, and proper scheduling significantly enhance sports participation, while inadequate facilities and unqualified personnel serve as major constraints. Additionally, peer influence and parental encouragement were found to positively impact student participation, whereas cultural stereotypes and gender biases posed significant barriers, particularly for female students. The study highlights the need for improved administrative policies, increased investment in sports infrastructure, and targeted social interventions to promote inclusive and sustained student engagement in sports. It provides valuable insights for university administrators, sports policymakers, and educators in developing strategies to foster a more supportive environment for sports participation among students.
