Profiles of Kenya's Top Athletics Coaches: Implications for the Development of Athletics in the Country
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Date
2007
Authors
Mwisukha, A.
Njororai, W.W.S.
Wamukoya, Edwin K.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Academe Research Journals
Abstract
Coaches are central in the technical development of athletes. They guide athletes towards
achievement of optimum performance and serve as their role models, counselors and teachers.
Coaches must therefore, be well educated, professionally trained and have acceptable and
admirable attributes. It is against this background that the present study set out to establish the
profiles of Kenya's top athletics coaches. A sample of 101 (75%) out of a total of 134 provincial
and national athletics coaches were randomly selected for the study. A questionnaire was used to
gather data on the demographic details of the coaches. The results revealed that majority of the
coaches, (79; 79.22%), were male, married and had children. A larger proportion of the coaches,
(42;41.5), were aged between 40 and 49 years, followed by a proportion of 25 (24J5%) whose
age ranged from 35 to 39 years, and 18 (17.82%) above 50 years. The largest proportion of the
coaches, 89.11% possessed academic credentials above the ordinary level. Most of them, (86;
85.15%) had other regular employment apart from coaching, and majority, (56; 55.45%) were
certified by IAAF. Most of the coaches also specialized in middle and long distance races. Arising
from these, it was recommended that more female and younger coaches in all areas of athletics be
trained. The need for full-time coaches and establishment of centralized national institute to train
coaches is-also emphasized.
Description
Research Article
Keywords
Athletics, Coaches, Profiles
Citation
Journal of Educational Research and Development Vol. 2 No.2; 2007