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Solutions to problems associated with the development of sports facilities in rural and urban communities
SOLUTIONS TO PROBLEMS RELATED DEVELOPMENT OF SPORT IN URBAN AND RURAL COMMUNITIES facilties
By
Akintunde G. P. (PhD)
and
Akintunde VO (Mrs)
Department of Education Professional and Special
University of Calabar, Calabar.
Cross River State, Nigeria
ABSTRACT
One of the most important factors to consider in the planning of any sports program is the installation. Despite its attention is not enough importance is given in our community. The couple negligence with many other factors have greatly contributed to the inadequacy or lack of supply and development sports facilities, in both rural and urban communities. Other factors like the economic situation in Nigeria, religion, the tenure system land, politics, geographical location and climate background, socio-cultural, the level of awareness about the health of people and the influence of pressure groups were discussed with the facility, made suggestions for the development of sports facilities and caution toward the feasibility of the suggestions were given.
Keywords: Sports facilities problems and solutions.
Introduction
The basic consideration in the development of any sport is the availability of adequate facilities (indoor and outdoor) for use when needed. Ideally, you should be provision of adequate facilities exteriors and interiors, both in our communities and schools, obviously this is not the case in Nigeria. The question now arises, how can we provide sports facilities in our communities?
To begin, we must not forget that our academic institutions, voluntary organizations, clubs, industries, businesses and corporations are all operating within the community. For example our learning institutions are responsible to the government and also aim to achieve the societal goals, hoping to meet and satisfy the community needs and interests. Sports have a culture that regards the culture of societies, therefore, is an integration of culture.
In the development of sports programs for a given population, the community must be the real center of decision making. The planning of this program, therefore, reflect the needs and interests of the community in line with the prospect of having facilities for the program. Facilities Development sports can only be started after an outline of sports policy and programs has been made. It is therefore of value to first discuss the problems facing the development of sports facilities in urban and rural communities in Nigeria
PROBLEM AREAS
Economic Situation
The economic situation in Nigeria has contributed greatly to the problems of each individual and the community today. The main task now is how get the money to close the gap between the quantity and quality of sports facilities required and the financial support available. The economy of a community has a great impact on the quantity and quality of sports facilities they can afford and develop. An economically weak community may have difficulty in providing and maintaining sports facilities and equipment. In an economically viable community sports facilities that have strong financial support, whether that community is conscious sport.
Religion
Religion can influence the sporting interest of a community and this finally be reflected in the provision and development of sports facilities in that community. Some religious groups frown on certain social activities such as dance and swimming. The latter is frowned upon because the use of costume in their participation of the parties expose too sacred particularly women. From the sports facilities need to be backed with developing facilities, facilities in this community, the bulk of the population of interest are a waste.
Tenure System land
The system of land tenure in Nigeria and especially in the south has also been creating a lot of problems not only for agricultural production but also in the development of sports facilities. The impact is most felt in urban communities where there is no planning adequate and effective urban. Landowners sell their land without regard either for play or recreation areas. All they want is money and little attention welfare of users. The worst case in the available spaces are used to build the home or in the shops by the members of the family (clan) of your property.
Policy
Policy has a role to play in the development of sport in general. This is especially true in the civilian rule. The interest and the priority of a political party can determine the progress of the program of sports and facilities for them. The politicians who are deeply Sports enthusiasts will no doubt be interested in the development of sports facilities. However, a political motivation for the development of Community sports facilities may suffer in a time of change in the political situation if the other party in power is not interested in that program.
Geographic ing account and Climate
The geographical location and climate of a community may be influencing factors in the development of sports facilities. A space endowed with many rivers (reverine area) and plenty of water is expected to develop sports facilities for sports water because of its natural wealth.
In Nigeria, for example due to climatic and topographic conditions Mambilla in Taraba State, the government Federal has established a village games for athletes who train in endurance sports for international competitions. The natural endowment of an environment that determine the activities of interest to local residents. Therefore, it is better to determine what activities and interests of a community in relation to its climate and topography. This will even allow the community to keep the funds available to develop the means and influence of the sporting interests in proportion to the demographics of place (ie, composition of the population of the community). Thus, social class (status), race, nationality, wealth, education, age and sex of residents should be into account before planning sports facilities. It can be very difficult to develop sports facilities in an area of low socio-economic, especially in central City due to financial constraints and likely some other factors like land availability, maintenance and support of facilities for continuity. For example, places such as farms Bodíjar in Ibadan, Oyo State and FESTAC in Lagos State are planned with sufficient consideration for play and recreation spaces, but unlike the case when comparing places like Ajegunle Gege and Oyo and Lagos States respectively.
Attitude:
The attitude of people the sports program is one factor that may influence the development of sports facilities. A community may be interested in the sports program but will not or can not spend much in it if the sport is not their priority. In an area of low socio-economic development, a lot of people may not be able or willing to contribute financially to development of sports facilities
Health Awareness:
The level of awareness about the health of individuals in a community can determine the port program acceptance and willingness to develop sports facilities. In the U.S., many people are now fitness program to keep fit and health. A community that cares for the health of individuals not mind the cost of development of sports facilities. If a community is not aware of the relationship between physical fitness and sound health, little interest would be given to the development of sports facilities.
Pressure Group:
The influence of pressure groups in a community can be used to develop sports facilities, and the forces that are taken into account in the society.
All the above factors can help or spoil any attempt to develop sports facilities throughout the community if they are not given due consideration.
The way forward
How can we develop sports facilities in our community?
Facilities sports can be developed by the various organs of the community provided the goals and objectives are understood.
An individual in a community able to board the development of sports facilities. A philanthropist lover of sports especially may decide to reflect his love for the sport. Notable examples are deceased Adedoyin Ogundoyin president who built a stadium and organized and sponsored a football club in his hometown, Chief Raheem Adejumo, President of Olympic Committee Nigeria (NOC) has also made contributions in the development of sports facilities and the Chief MKO Abiola was a good example. Chief MKO Abiola enthusiasm and love for the sport their contributions to sports earned him the title of "Pillar of Sports in Africa." People how are you, although you can build or contribute encouraged the construction of the standard installation.
In a situation where the development of sports facilities is too expensive to pay for a single person, an effort can be requested. In this case, many sports enthusiasts who have the means (capital) and are willing to sponsor programs for part or full can to develop sports facilities. Similarly, individuals or philanthropists and the community can decide for themselves the fee and combine efforts to develop facilities sports. recreation clubs are a good example. However, this should be properly coordinated by the government.
Each individual in the community are always looking to the government to do everything for them especially things that are for public consumption. Unfortunately, the government can not do everything, but in a situation where you can give a good example for its citizens to follow, such a move may be in the right direction. What matters most is for the government to play its part and encourage people in the community to help. Our government must enforce and maintain good urban planning of our cities including rural areas and an example that calls will be established to provide a model of sports facilities at least for each community.
A situation where the government offers sports facilities (eg sports stadium and shopping) there is no need of proper maintenance and sustenance. The maintenance cost may force the government to such facilities and documentary style if it is not care in the bill may be too much for the public to bear, finally, the public may be discouraged and such facilities may not be intended for use maximum. Local government could help establish a center for recreation and parks, but when recruitment rates will be very minimal.
During the promotion of sports, clubs and societies in different categories could be helpful in the development of sports facilities. A club may decide to build their own sports center (s) as their contribution to sports development. This is now happening in Nigeria with the recognition given to professionalism in sports. The only problem with this type of contribution is that such facilities can not be open for public use but restricted to members only.
In the same vain there other institutions such as businesses, industries, businesses, and companies that can greatly assist in the development of sports facilities. The health of employees should be the concern any company that wants maximum output workers. Many commercial and government institutions are aware of the importance of physical fitness programs health for their employees.
However, there are guidelines for the use of sports facilities provided by these institutions. Guidelines such as the specific times operations facilities, a written set of rules and operational and training objectives for participants and so may reduce accessibility of these facilities to the public. In Nigeria we have many companies and corporations setting up and funding of sports clubs that are making their marks in competitions national and international. Tax relief can be given to those companies or industries of the amount spent on sports facilities.
In addition to establishment of sports clubs, these institutions also are involved in the promotion of recreation programs. Many have staff clubs or centers recreation staff. While no sports facilities may be open to the general public, the fact remains that they are contributing to the development of facilities sports in their various communities. All you have to do is for the government to establish a working alliance between them and their communities.
A set of industry and sports programs sponsored by the government in any way help small in the development of sports facilities in our communities. A joint program like this will more viable and less a burden on the community to maintain. This type of business can be in parks or recreation centers. Local government can easily find one of the sponsors (S) to develop sports facilities.
There may be a joint program (s) between the community and government to develop sports facilities. It is much what is taken from la''vida better for rural women "where the community is expected to show an interest in establishing or embark on a project before the national state or local or national level could reach to assist them. If through a community effort provides a special service but the community is incomplete, request government aid or private.
A community might even have a pool of resource for development of sports facilities. In a situation like this objectives and specific plan for the type of community sports facilities is intended to develop must be clearly defined. This will involve many people, corporations, companies, associations, government agencies and various national and international joint sponsors.
As mentioned, the facilities available in our communities are limited in number and very few or even most of them are not open to the public, but for special groups of people because they are privately owned. Therefore, school and community sports facilities should be planned and used to supplement and complement one another to meet the needs of students and the community. This requires that the government should take more than passive interest in the development of sports facilities in schools. It should also have a chance interaction between schools and the community to use the facilities. This will encourage and support cooperation between the school and the community where it exists.
Both students and staff of our academic institutions should be encouraged to participate in sports, either intramural or external program. There have been cases where a single student without help sponsor major projects in schools. If students from different schools are encouraged that can contribute in this regard.
If schools show sufficient commitment, it will raise awareness among individual members of the community to know that sports are not for club teams or academic institution, but all members of the community. This kind of awareness can encourage the community in the development of such sports facilities in the community and academic institutions through of any individual efforts or the efforts of the community or both.
A community can go beyond the local for assistance. Assistance may be sought from national and international organizations to sponsor or co-sponsorship to develop sports facilities.
The existing sports facilities in our communities can be developed, maintained and extended by all the bodies mentioned in these communities. local materials can be adapted or used to improvise some sports materials to reduce costs. Thus, urban or rural environment of the state of adaptation should be adopted.
The government should undertake a campaign to fund advertising and public awareness of the importance of participation in sports activities and perspectives can bring to a community. This can be done through of the media, posters, seminars and clinics for the elderly and the young staff of the various offices of life and the general public, local, state and federal levels.
Community-based sports competitions inside and outside the towns should be frequently organized to reflect the usefulness of these facilities within different degrees of age, gender, institutions and clubs to be sponsored by various organizations. This responsibility must be intra-and extra-local.
There should be organization of a community based sports programs in our diverse communities. Community Programs service organization must be used by the government for development of sports facilities. For example, Boys Scouts, club, philanthropic, charitable, religious and social associations, which are voluntary associations may be challenged and encouraged to collaborate in the development of sports facilities. However, if the associations of religion would be involved one must distinguish between interest and the interest of religion sports.
All these suggestions work always take the following precautions:
The local climate and the geographic location of the community should be given due consideration while developing the sports facilities. This can help in the development of facilities physical community.
There must be adequate provision of experts, including trainers, coaches and other technical personnel to make the best use of facilities and equipment available so that the public would see and appreciate the benefits that derive from them and the importance of having them in the community. Member Willing community can be trained as coaches or recreation to assist officers in managing and training other members of the community.
There should be emphasized in training and sustaining the culture of maintenance. The facilities must be periodically reviewed and maintained by all agencies concerned.
Because pf the prevalence of social vices in our society, are suitable for providing supervision and safety of the facilities easily removable and equipment.
Local talents should be used and recognized in the community and used for individual and social progress.
REFERENCES
Bucher, C. A, CR, and Koenig (1974), Methods and materials for secondary school physical education, St. Louis: The CV Mosby Co.
Bucher, CA (1979), Foundation of Physical Education, London: Mosby Co. CA
Bucher, CA (1983), Physical Education and Management Program Athletics, the St. Louis: CV Mosby Co.
Hall, JT, Cooper, JM Frost, RB Shenk, H., Warren, N. and Wiley, RC (1973), Management Principles, theory Application and practice of Physical Education, Pacific Palisades, California: Goodyear publishing Co.
Nixon, JE and Jewett, AE (1980), Introduction to Physical Education, Philadelphia: Saunders College Press.
About the Author
The author Peter Gbolagade Akintunde is a Nigeria and a lecturer in University of Calabar, Nigeria. He has many articles in reputable journals and seven books in his area of specialization to his credit. He was the head of Cross River State Nigeria Association for Physical , Health Education, Recreation, Sports And Dance (NAPHER.SD) FOR 10 YEARS. He is a consultant in Administration, Organization and Management of Sports and Fitness Programmes.
Victoria Olatundun Akintunde is a specialist in Education Administration and Planning. She is a well experienced teacher who as worked in different institutions at various levels. She has been a mentor to many students in the area of research. She has written many articles in renowned journals.
University of Mary Washington