SPORTS AND NATIONAL UNITY

ABSTRACT

This research investigates the perceived impact of the National Sports Festival Edo 2021 on national unity in Nigeria. The study employs a survey design and uses structured questionnaires for data collection. Four research questions are posed, and data are analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations, while hypotheses are tested using the Average Mean Score. The findings reveal that the National Sports Festival Edo 2021 is generally perceived as a unifying event, bringing people from diverse regions together and fostering a sense of national identity among participants. However, respondents also identify challenges, including ethnicity-based divisions, limited financial resources, inadequate sports infrastructure, and political factors, as hindrances to sports contributing effectively to national unity. Participants believe that their involvement in the event positively influences their perception of national unity. The study recommends enhancing sports infrastructure, promoting grassroots sports, raising awareness and education, implementing governance and anti-corruption measures, fostering diversity and inclusivity, conducting continuous evaluations, and adopting a multifaceted approach to harness the unifying potential of sports in Nigeria.