The Socioeconomic Status of Elite Nigerian Athletes in Perspective of Social Stratification and Mobility

Abstract

The objective of the study was to investigate the socioeconomic status of elite Nigerian athletes, their social origin, and the social mobility experienced by them. All these aspects were observed through the social stratificational indices. Data on 341 elite athletes (226 male and 115 female) in fifteen sports, and their parents, were collected with the help of a pertinent questionnaire. The analysis of data led to these conclusions: Most of these athletes came from families having lower socioeconomic status. A significantly high number of athletes experienced upward social mobility.