Sports Facilities and Equipment Management: Implications for Young Athletes Sports Participation in Nigeria

Abstract

Studies have indicated that management of sports facilities and equipment are imperative for young athletes’ sports participation. Sports facilities are those immobile infrastructures for sports training, competitions and events. While, sports equipment are items that are movable and are utilized for a period of time. Sports facilities and equipment management are referred to the process of planning, purchasing, administering, coordinating and evaluating the day-to-day procedure of facilities and equipment utilization. This paper explored the role of sports facilities and equipment management on young athletes’ sports participation in Nigeria. The concepts of sports facilities and equipment management were critical reviewed. Related issues were also discussed, such as; sports facilities and equipment maintenance cost, standard sport facilities, modernization in sports facilities and equipment management and safety in sports facilities and equipment usage. It concluded among others that sports facilities and equipment management create a safe and healthy environment for sports participation among young athletes, which in turn set the tone for promising great future athletic performance. It was recommended among others that personnel that will be responsible for the management of sports facilities and equipment should be experience.