TITLE:
Assessing the Current Basketball Training Situation in Rwanda Using Secondary Schools as a Case Study
AUTHORS:
Innocent Habimana, Zhongxin Tian
KEYWORDS:
Basketball, Secondary Schools, Training, Coaches, Parents, Performance
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.9 No.6,
June
21,
2022
ABSTRACT: Currently, people are paying more attention to their mental health and physical fitness. Basketball is the second sport in Rwanda after football and plays a significant role in peacebuilding and cultivating physical and mental health in the youth. Based on this background, this research aims at evaluating the current basketball situation in Rwanda and proposing appropriate countermeasures to improve its performance and the economy at large. Structured questionnaires were used to collect the data among three prominent stallholders in the basketball training (secondary school students, basketball coaches, and parents). Five hundred questionnaires were sent out randomly and the collected data were analyzed by using the following statistical methods: descriptive statistics and the Likert scale. The study results revealed that: there is a lack of adequate basketball infrastructure (basketball courts, training materials, and other facilities). There is no fixed training system for youth basketball and the training time is insufficient. This has led to significant conflict between sports and academics as indicated by respondents. Additionally, there is a lack of support from the stakeholders, limited social awareness, and a bad attitude toward women’s basketball due to cultural beliefs. Notably, the current basketball performance in Rwanda is dissatisfying to the majority of the respondents. Based on the findings of this research, the following measures are recommended: Government funding to sports should be increased and seeking non-governmental organization funding are encouraged; coaches should be trained by the government to improve their basketball skills; strategic and proactive training programs should be enhanced; smooth integration of youth basketball in education curriculum is essential; stakeholders’ support is paramount. This study contributes significantly to the emerging body of literature review in sports. The findings of this study are important to policymakers in sports activity and the governments around the globe to review their support.