INHIBITING FACTORS TO FEMALE PARTICIPATION IN SPORT IN NIGERIAN UNIVERSITIES

Abstract

The study examined the inhibiting factors to female participation in sport in Nigerian universities. A descriptive research design of survey type was adopted for the study, and a self structured questionnaire was used to collect information from a sample of 300 female undergraduates. Data collected were analysed with the use of frequency counts, mean scores percentages and chi-square statistics. Findings revealed that parental influence is not a significant inhibiting factor to female participation in sport. However, other variables considered in the study revealed that non availability of standard sport facilities and equipment; coping with academic stress; and university policy on sport are inhibiting factors to female sport participation in Nigerian universities. It was suggested that government and non governmental agencies, the university authorities, as well as corporate organizations should provide more sport facilities, review academic programmes and university sport policy that will be of utmost benefits to female participation in sport.