Predictors of Athletic Performance of University Athletes in Nigerian University Games Association (NUGA) in South-East Nigeria

This study determined predictors of athletic performance of university athletes in Nigerian university games association in South East Nigeria. Three null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. The correlational survey research design was adopted. The population of the study comprised all the 1,895 athletes from Zone G of the Nigerian university sports administrative zones. The sample size consisted of 600 athletes using the multi-stage sampling technique was adopted for this study. Four instruments were used to collect data for the study. The instrumentswere subjected to face validity by three experts. Cronbach’s Alpha method was used to determine the internal consistency and co-efficients of 0.92, 0.67, 0.84 and 0.65were obtained. The researcher with five research assistants helped in the administration and collection of the instruments. Regression analysis was used to analyze data for the study. It was found that adequacy of funding, and adequacy of facilities and equipment were significant predictors of athletic performance, with adequacy of facilities making the highest contribution to athletic performance. Based on the findings, it was recommended, among other things, that universities in South East Nigeria should invest in the sports and athletic facilities and equipment to enhance athletic performance, growth in sports and wellbeing within the universities and their external environment.