Written by Professor Ken Anugweje

1. THE BENEFITS OF SPORTS
TO THE
NIGERIAN YOUTH

2. INTRODUCTION
a. Sports – def.
- physical activities
- organized
- laws, rules, regulations; IFs

3. b. Sports – clas.
• Leisure
• Competitive

4. c. Youth
- young; adolescence
- United Nations: 15 – 24years
- Nigeria; 18 – 35years
- characteristics
critical period
peer pressure

5. behavioural traits: alcohol; drugs;
aggression; sexual activity
reciprocal environmental
influence: social; economic; political;
activism
education: formal; non formal
endowment: strength; energy;
vigour

6. YOUTH PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS IN NIGERIA
• Leisure: exercise; fun; health;
jogging; aerobics; swimming; tennis; jump roping
(skipping); chess; darts; Squash; Yoga
pick – up team games

7. Competitive
amateur
professional
athletics, badminton, chess, darts, judo,
squash, swimming, taekwondo, table tennis,
tennis, wrestling
basketball, cricket, handball, football,
hockey, volleyball

8. Estimate - 35%
 Distribution : male higher than female
 unorganized more than organised
 organised: schools, churches
neighbourhoods, clubs

9. BENEFITS
 General
general sense of well – being / self- esteem
healthy physical development
improved muscle and bone strength
improved mobility and balance
better weight control / reducing the risk of obesity

10. Prevention of diabetes
prevention of cardiovascular diseases eg hypertension, stroke
improvement of academic performance
social advancement (abstaining from alcohol, drugs, aggressive
behaviour, violence)

11. Specific
development life skills
character building
building leadership qualities
developing the spirit of sportsmanship
learning respect for authority
learning respect for rules and regulations
learning to work under pressure / perseverance

12. learning leadership
learning guidance and mentorship
earning increased opportunities for education
expanding opportunities for future careers after sports
increasing knowledge for the world and world events

13. Conclusion
• Government should encourage greater participation of Nigerian youth
in sports
provision of more sports facilities in the country
enforcing sports activities in school curriculum from elementary to
university
level
facilitate concessional admission of gifted sports men into
universities

14. award of scholarships to outstanding men and women
introduction of work study programs for those not covered by
scholarships
 Youth must avoid the disruption of their career opportunities
by sports

15. THANK YOU