Investigating Community Participation in Sports and Recreation at Esikhaleni Township in KwaZulu-Natal

The popularity of sport as a vehicle to wider development is growing worldwide in all communities whether small or big. Previous studies argue that sport partaking is often associated with efforts to alleviate rising obesity in adults, children, youth and idleness epidemics, crime as well as socio-economic disadvantage. The aim of this study is to assess the participation of Esikhaleni community members in sport and recreation, whose objectives further intend at identifying the available facilities that community members can use to address the above concerns they face. The study fulfilled the aim through the following research objectives: determining the level of awareness and availability of sport and recreational facilities; identifying the sport codes available at Esikhaleni community; finding out the level of importance/value and benefits of participation in sports and recreational activities among residents of Esikhaleni; identifying the challenging issues that prevents the residents of Esikhaleni from engaging in sport and recreational activities; and exploring strategies that can be put in place to promote sport and recreational activities among the residents of Esikhaleni. This study employed the non-probability sampling because the researcher lacks knowledge on the size of the population. The study adopted mixed methods research because of the combined strengths of both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. Sixty-six (66) participants were selected using snowball sampling method. The study, based on qualitative research approach, employed content analysis method. Based on quantitative research method, all data collected using structured questionnaire was analysed using SPSS version 25. The results of this study validate that the mainstream of community members who participated in this study were aware of the availability of sport and recreational facilities within their community. Participants reveal that their participation in sport and recreational activities are motivated by friends and relatives, workshops conducted by municipality officials, coaches, and colleagues within the area. The local municipality officials advocate that they are using different ways of inspiring community members to participate in sport and recreational activities. In conclusion, the study recommends an urgent need to increase the sport budget which will ensure that sport complexes are improved, maintained and upgraded. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends that more studies on sport and recreation activities are conducted to create greater understanding and vii advance the current knowledge of sport and recreation participation be extended to public schools in townships and rural communities for the benefits of all members

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

University of Zululand

Year dc:date.issued

2020

Author dc:creator

• Ngubane, Nozipho Girly

• Sport
• recreation

Licence

• https://devspace.unizulu.ac.za/bitstreams/2bf8a9e1-919f-45f3-a26f-60c1b6fc397f/download