INFLUENCE OF UNIVERSITY SPORTS PROGRAMMES ON UNIVERSITY COMMUNITY AND HER ENVIRONS

Abstract

This study aimed at determining the influence of sports programmes organized by the Sports Directorate of the University of Ilorin on staff, students and other members of the community and its environs. The descriptive research design of survey type was used in this study. A total 753 participants were selected using the stratified random sampling technique. Structured questionnaire was used to collect data for the study. Data was analyzed with frequency counts and simple percentages. Inter- action and survey showed that many of the participants agreed to improved health (73%), reduced medical expenses (56%), promptness to work and reduced absenteeism (68%), improved social inter-action and integration (83%), reduced environmental tension (76%) and willingness to continue to participate (93%) among other benefits. Firstly, the health and general well-being of staff and students have been improved culminating into a smooth and regular academic sessions for at least the past 10 years. Again, participation in organized sports programmes at the University of Ilorin has brought social integration among members of the University community and her environs. Furthermore, the University of Ilorin has enjoyed increased student enrollment and also adjudged the leading University in Nigeria by the webometric and the National Nigeria Universities Commission (NUC) rating (2015).