EXTENT OF IMPLEMENTATION OF THE 2009 NATIONAL SPORTS POLICY OF NIGERIA: IMPLICATIONS FOR SPORTS SCIENCE, EXERCISE SCIENCE, AND SPORT MEDICINE

This study focused on the extent to which the 2009 National Sports Policy of Nigeria is being implemented with regards to sports science and sport medicine. The study was conducted using a sample size of 41 sports officials randomly drawn from Edo State Sports Council and Delta State Sports Council using a systematic random sampling technique. The main instrument used for the study was a self-developed, structured, validated questionnaire and data generated were analyzed using frequency counts and percentages. Findings of the study revealed that majority of sports stakeholders such as sports administrators and coaches are not aware of the existence of the 2009 National Sports Policy of Nigeria. The study further revealed that majority of coaches and administrators in the institutions under study do not employ scientific methods in the conduct of their sports activities. Based on the findings of the study, it was recommended that government should ensure that any policy formulation process should involve all sports stakeholders at every stages of the policy development, and that attempt should be made henceforth to as much as possible, publicize the design, publication and presentation of all policy mandates as this will help to ensure that all that are concerned with the implementation of the policy are well informed of its existence and its characterization. It was also recommended that sports administrators should endeavor to employ experts in various areas of specialization in sports as this is crucial to the implementation and success of any sports programme.