Rintaugu, E.G.Kamande, I. M.Litaba, S. A.Toriola, Abel L.Amusa, Lateef O.2015-03-202015-03-202014-09African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, Vol 20 Issue 3 pages 1049-1064 20141117-4315http://reference.sabinet.co.za/document/EJC162466http://ir-library.ku.ac.ke/handle/123456789/12403The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between gender and parental socio-economic status (SES) in the motivational orientation of university athletes. Motivational orientations were reasons for specializing in specific sport and motives for continued participation and SES was described based on parental education and occupation. Structured questionnaires were administered to 674 players drawn from 21 universities, which participated in the 3rd Kenya Inter-University Championships held from 17-21 December 2011 in Nairobi, Kenya. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Chi-square. Results indicated that the university athletes had late entry into sports, 90.1% joined sport due to enjoyment and their continued participation was due to success (92.8%). Results showed that in contrast to parental SES (p<0.05), gender did not influence the athletes' motives for continued participation in sport. The results are discussed in the light of the need for university sports administrators and coaches to design and implement talent identification and development programmes. The need to take stock of the athletes' motives for entry and continued participation in sport is discussed.enArticle