Sport Management for Inclusion and Diversity: Pathways to Sustainable Sport Development and National Unity in Nigeria

Udeme Bassey

doi:10.56201/wjimt.v9.no9.2025.pg97.108

📄 Download Paper

Sport Management for Inclusion and Diversity: Pathways to Sustainable Sport Development and National Unity in Nigeria

Udeme Bassey

Abstract

This study examined sport management for inclusion and diversity: pathways to sustainable sport development and national unity in Nigeria. A descriptive survey design was employed, and a sample of 400 respondents comprising athletes, coaches, sport administrators, and spectators was drawn proportionately from six states in the region. Data were collected using a structured and validated questionnaire, with 372 usable responses retrieved, representing a 93% response rate. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (Chi-square and one-way ANOVA) were employed at a 0.05 level of significance. Findings revealed that sport management practices significantly promoted inclusion in sports (?² = 133.98, df = 4, p < 0.05), diversity in sports participation had a significant influence on sport development (F(2,834) = 11.90, p < 0.05), and sport management significantly contributed to fostering national unity (F(2,834) = 15.95, p < 0.05). The grand mean scores further indicated overall agreement that sport in the South-South region enhances inclusion (M = 3.25, SD ? 0.8), development (M = 3.31, SD ? 0.8), and unity (M = 3.35, SD ? 0.8), though variations across items suggested uneven implementation and contextual challenges. The study concludes that effective sport management and inclusive participation are vital for achieving sport-for-development outcomes. It recommends scaling up grassroots inclusion initiatives, investing in accessible infrastructure, strengthening governance, and designing sport programmes with intentional social objectives.

Keywords

sport managementinclusiondiversitysport developmentnational unitySouth-

References

Adedeji, A. O., & Ayeni, T. M. (2022). Sport as a catalyst for social cohesion and national development in Nigeria. Journal of Physical Education and Sport Management, 13(2), 45–55. https://doi.org/10.5897/JPESM2022.0123 Adeniyi, S. O. (2022). Barriers to participation of persons with disabilities in Nigerian sports: Implications for inclusive development. Journal of Disability and Sport Studies, 5(1), 14–27. https://doi.org/10.4314/jdss.v5i1.2 Adio, W. (2022). Disability sport pathways in Nigeria: Challenges and opportunities. Journal of African Sport Development, 5(2), 55–70. Amara, M., & Henry, I. (2020). Sport and multiculturalism: Cross-national analysis. International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 55(3), 245–263. https://doi.org/10.1177/1012690218791134 Bello, K. (2023). Governance and sport development in sub-Saharan Africa. Contemporary Sport Management Review, 12(1), 1–14. Edeh, C. I., & Ume, P. O. (2021). Gender disparity in Nigerian sports: Challenges and opportunities for female athletes. Nigerian Journal of Gender and Sport Development, 6(2), 33–47. https://doi.org/10.1016/njgsd.2021.06.004 Kaufman, Z., & Wolff, E. (2021). Playing for peace: Systematic review of sport-for-peace programs. Conflict Resolution Quarterly, 39(4), 451–473. https://doi.org/10.1002/crq.21353 Ministry of Youth and Sports Development. (2023). National sports policy of Nigeria: Harnessing sport for youth empowerment and national integration. Federal Government of Nigeria. https://youthandsports.gov.ng Ogbonnaya, A. (2020). Governance, corruption, and the challenge of sport management in Nigeria. International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, 12(2), 310–327. https://doi.org/10.1080/19406940.2020.1717589 Okeke, P., & Eze, J. (2021). Grassroots sport and youth development in Nigeria: A review. Nigerian Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 19(1), 75–88. Okon, E. A., & Akpabio, E. O. (2021). Inclusion and diversity in Nigerian sports: Challenges and prospects. African Journal of Sports Science and Policy Development, 8(1), 23–34. https://doi.org/10.4314/ajsspd.v8i1.3 Owoeye, T. (2022). Intergroup contact theory and inclusive sport in Africa. African Journal of Physical Activity and Health Sciences, 28(3), 45–61. UNESCO. (2021). Harnessing the role of sport to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in Nigeria. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. https://unesdoc.unesco.org

Sport Management for Inclusion and Diversity: Pathways to Sustainable Sport Development and National Unity in Nigeria

Abstract

Keywords

References

More Articles from WORLD JOURNAL OF INNOVATION AND MODERN TECHNOLOGY