Perspectives on the Utilisation of Football Facilities in Monze District

International Journal of Research and Scientific Innovation (IJRSI) | Volume IX, Issue IV, April 2022 | ISSN 2321–2705

Perspectives on the Utilisation of Football Facilities in Monze District

Fair Mweemba Hamusoogwa, Ferdinand Mwaka Chipindi
University of Zambia, Zambia

Abstract: Football facilities are an essential component of any society as it provides open spaces that help people, both old and young, develop physically. In addition, it provides space for recreation and space for various other activities that people carry out to have a balanced way of life. The purpose of the study was to investigate the utilisation of football facilities in selected clubs of Monze district, Zambia. A sample of 3 coaches, three club managers, one council planning officer, and three chairpersons was chosen from the three clubs and 30 athletes, i.e. ten from each club in the Monze district. The homogeneous purposive sampling technique was used to select a small number of athletes of the same characteristics from the same clubs. The study employed a descriptive research design where the qualitative method was used. Data were collected via face-to-face interview guide, focus group discussion guide, phone interview, observation checklist, and open-ended questionnaires. Qualitative data were analysed thematically. The research found that football facilities were utilised for various activities in the selected clubs. Such activities included International Teachers’ Day, International Nurse’s Day, and AIDS day. At times, the facilities were used for political campaigns by various political parties during the by-elections and general elections. The study recommended a need for football club maintenance to optimise the utilisation of football facilities in the community.

Keywords: Football Facilities, Utilisation, Standard Facilities, Maintenance, Facilities

I. INTRODUCTION

The utilisation of sports facilities is widely a common goal of any government function (Iversen & Cuskelly, 2015). In this light, following Iversen and Cuskelly (2015)’s work, the study contended that football facilities’ utilisation forms an important performance target for sports facilities. Similarly, Schwarz et al. (2007) gave an understanding that when determining physical infrastructure surrounding the football grounds, they should consider the functions, seating, equipment and office utilisation aspects to improve football performance. Football facilities utilisation plays an essential role in the development of players at the grassroots level
Football facilities are undeniably an essential component in any development agenda, and it is not any different when it comes to sports like football (Wesaala, 2015). This is vital for developing football talent, particularly when imparting necessary skills like ball control, passing, and many others. The importance of good football facilities utilisation helps the athletes to learn different skills during training and competitions. Additionally, good pitches also reduce the risk of injury, especially during the formative years of bone and muscle development and the later stages (Wesaala, 2015).The construction of football facilities in Zambia stands at the centre of the government plan for sports development. The Ministry of Sports Youth and Child Development is premised on the rationale that sports and recreational activities form an

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