Key factors impacting on the development of physically disabled athletes in Limpopo province

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: For physically disabled learners to achieve successful participation in sport requires thesynergistic interaction of many diverse factors. The Limpopo province of South Africaproduces fewer physically disabled athletes at the junior, senior and elite levels than anyother province in South Africa. This study identifies and examines the key aspects thataffected the development of physically disabled athletes in the Limpopo province in2006/2007. Factors that both facilitate or inhibit the development of physically disabledathletes in the province are identified and discussed. This highlights aspects that need to beaddressed in seeking to bridge the gap between current deficiencies and an optimised futurefor participants in disabled sport in Limpopo province.The study is descriptive, using a case-study design as part of a situational analysis. Physicallydisabled athletes from one school were selected using a convenience sample and keyinformants were selected through purposive sampling. Questionnaires were completed by tenphysically disabled athletes as well as by staff involved in their athletic development.Interviews were also conducted among key informants from the sport and education sectors.The questionnaires were analysed quantitatively and the interviews underwent qualitativecontent analysis.The findings indicated that there are seven critical areas/key factors influencing thedevelopment of physically disabled athletes in Limpopo province. These are:1. Support systems;2. Sports participation;3. Attitudinal facilitators and barriers;4. Environmental accessibility;5. Resources;6. Education and training;7. Politics.The above elements impacting on the development of physically disabled athletes in Limpopoprovince are compared with the five key areas of the International Paralympic Committee(IPC) Development Model.It was found that numerous challenges exist in Limpopo, namely: a lack of sufficient humanresourcecapacity, funding, sponsorships and the necessary financial resources for adequateinfrastructure sustainability and support services.Therefore, in order for physically disabled athletes in Limpopo province to be successfullydeveloped within the framework of the IPC Development Model, the challenges and keyfactors/critical areas identified by this study need to be addressed. The followingrecommendations were made following the outcomes of the study:1. Establish a discussion forum for all stakeholders;2. Take steps to elevate the status of sport for physically disabled athletes in Limpopoprovince;3. Improve the co-operation between sports federations, government departments anddisabled people's organisations Limpopo province;4. Educate stakeholders;5. Improve coaching expertise and knowledge;6. Have specialist rehabilitation expertise in the LSEN schools;7. Monitor and evaluate sports programmes.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University