STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ON FACTORS AFFECTING STUDENTS PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS (CASE STUDY OF KWARA STATE POLYTECHNIC)

This study examines factors affecting students' participation in sports at Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin. Using a structured questionnaire distributed via Google Forms, the research targeted a diverse student demographic. Findings revealed that 84% of respondents participated in sports, primarily football, yet only 32.4% engaged daily, indicating barriers to consistent involvement. Key barrier included academic workload, perceived by 34.5% of non-participants, but statistical analysis showed no significant impact (p = 0.195). Conversely, institutional support and availability of sports facilities were critical enabling factors, with a significant association (p = 0.000) between support and perceived facility adequacy. Logistic regression identified ethnicity, lack of interest, and role models as significant predictors of participation. Students valuing ethnicity were 2.18 times more likely to participate, while those lacking interest were 47% less likely. The presence of role models doubled engagement likelihood. Interest in sports is high, barriers like academic demands and facility inadequacies hinder participation. Recommendations include improving infrastructure, enhancing institutional support, promoting awareness campaigns, and leveraging role models to foster greater student involvement in sports.