Management of elite middle and long distance runners in Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to establish how effective elite middle and long distance athletes are managed in Kenva. The study took place at Nyayo National Stadium where provincial athletics teams together with their coaches had converged for the 2007 Provincial Championships. Athletics Kenya officials and government sports officers were accessed at their respective offices in provincial branches. The target population comprised of 355 middle and long distance athletes, 107 athletics coaches, 42 Athletics Kenya officials and 24 government sports officers. Random sampling method was used to sample 185 (52%) athletes. 49 (46%) athletic coaches, 34 (80%) Athletics Kenya officials and 12 (50%) government sports officers for the study. A questionnaire was used as an instrument for data collection. The questionnaire sought information on managerial practices of motivation. Kenyan coaches' adequacy and qualification, adequacy of equipment and facilities,,atliletes' selection procedures, uniform program-drawing, and effectiveness of guidance and counseling services offered to the Kenyan athletes. Descriptive statistics was used to summarize the data. One- way ANOVA was used to establish relationships between athletes', coaches' government sports officers' and AK officials' responses. The alpha level ,vas set at 0.05. The results were then presented in tables, charts and graphs. rile responses on ways used to motivate Kenyan athletes, extent of motivation given to athletes, provision of adequate funds for training and competition, drawing of uniform training programs and provision of guidance and counseling services showed a significant difference (.040, .003, .000, .012 and .000 respectively). On the other hand. the responses on adequacy and qualification of Kenyan coaches. provision of adequate facilities and equipment and methods used to select Kenyan athletes for international competition did not show any significant difference (.204, .317 and .737 respectively).