Factors Responsible for Gender Discrimination in Sports in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract:

The researcher investigated the Factors Responsible for Gender Discrimination in Sports in Rivers State. Three research questions and three hypotheses guided the study. The researcher used a self-developed instrument titled “Factors Responsible for Gender Discrimination in Sports in Rivers State (FRFGDSRS)” as the instrument for data collection. The instruments were administered to 570 undergraduates in the department of Human Kinetics at the University of Port Harcourt and the Ignatius Ajuru University of Education all in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The population of the study was 12,241 students in Rivers State. The researcher employed the correlational research design for the study. The reliability coefficient yielded 0.80 using a test-retest method which shows that the instrument is reliable. Based on the findings the researcher revealed that cultural beliefs, parents and religion are the socio-cultural factors responsible for gender discrimination in sports in Rivers State. Therefore, the researcher recommends that the government at all levels should create enabling environment for unfettered participation of women in sports and its management. The private organisations and individuals in the society should support the government at all levels to provide and improve sports facilities and equipment in schools so as to enable more participation in sports by both sexes.