Selected Institutional Factors Influencing Non-Participation in Sports and Physical Activities Among University Students

The aim of this study was to examine selected institutional factors influencing the nonparticipation of students in sports at the university. The study targeted 500 students; 100 students were sampled. Cross-sectional survey design and self-administered questionnaire were employed to get information from the participants. The data collected was coded and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 22. Finally, the data was analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics such as percentages, frequencies, standard deviation and means. Chi- Square was used to ascertain the relationship between variables at a significant level of 0.05. A majority, (78%), of the respondents indicated that lack of time due to study obligations was the reason they never participated in sports in the university. Up to 46% indicated that the reason why they did not participate in sports in the university was because the sport they loved was not being offered in the university. About the same number, 46%, of the students showed that lack of modern sports equipment in the university was the reason they did not participate in sports. Some (32%) of the students indicated that they did not participate in university sports because they felt that university athletes are not adequately rewarded. Half (50%) of the students showed that lack of coaches was one of the reasons they did not participate in sports. This study recommended that in order to promote positive attitude towards participation in sports among students, universities should have adequate and quality sports infrastructure and equipment and other needed resources including manpower like coaches; create more time for sports to increase the number of students participating in sports; and establish programs that enlightens students on the importance of physical activities and career opportunities that are available in physical education.