Sports Administrators’ Managerial Effectiveness as a Correlate of Athletes’ Competitive Readiness in South-South Nigeria

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original

Authors

1 Department of Human Kinetics and Sports Science, Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

2 Department of Human Kinetics and Sports Science, Faculty of Education, University of Benin, Benin City. Nigeria

Abstract

This study examined sports administrators’ managerial effectiveness and its relationship with athletes’ competitive readiness in South-South Nigeria.It assessed the levels of managerial effectiveness and competitive readiness,the relationships between managerial effectiveness dimensions and competitive readiness,and the joint and independent contributions of managerial effectiveness to competitive readiness. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was adopted. The quantitative phase involved 300 participants: 240 athletes and 60 sports administrators from selected sports programmes. Athletes completed the Managerial Effectiveness Scale (MES) and Athletes’ Competitive Readiness Scale (ACRS), while administrators completed the MES. Athletes were the primary respondents; administrators provided a complementary managerial perspective. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive statistics, Pearson product-moment correlation, and multiple regression.Qualitative data from semi-structured interviews with 15 athletes and 10 sports administrators were analysed thematically. Findings showed that overall managerial effectiveness was moderate,whereas athletes’ competitive readiness was high.Communication had the highest managerial effectiveness mean, while financial/resource management had the lowest. All four managerial dimensions were significantly and positively related to competitive readiness. Multiple regression showed that the four dimensions jointly explained 41% of the variance in competitive readiness.Communication made the largest independent contribution, followed by human resource management, financial/resource management, and ethical decision-making. Qualitative findings generated four themes: effective communication enhances confidence and focus; athlete-centred human resource management strengthens motivation;resource availability creates organisational stability; and ethical leadership builds trust. The study concludes that sports administrators’ managerial effectiveness is significantly associated with athletes’ competitive readiness and highlights communication, personnel management,resource provision, and ethical administrative practices as important aspects of the sporting environment.

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Archives in Sport Management and Leadership

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 09 October 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 09 September 2026
  • Revise Date: 28 September 2026
  • Accept Date: 09 October 2026

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