Athletic Performance Development in Ethiopia: Coaching Quality, Training Practices, Facilities, and Institutional Support as Predictors: A Cross-Sectional Mixed-Methods Study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.60081/SSHA.4.1.2026.613-624Keywords:
- athletic performance,
- athletics facilities,
- training practices,
- coaching quality
Abstract
Background: Athletic performance development depends on the effective interaction of facilities, training practices, coaching quality, institutional support, and environmental conditions. In Ethiopia, despite international success in athletics, many regions remain underdeveloped due to systemic challenges related to inadequate infrastructure, weak coaching capacity, poorly structured training programs, and insufficient institutional support. These constraints limit athlete development and hinder the emergence of competitive performance at regional and national levels. Study purpose: This study assessed the multifactorial determinants affecting athletic performance in selected districts of the Kellem Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia, with specific focus on athletics facilities, training practices, coaching quality, sports office support, and environmental conditions. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional mixed-methods design was employed. Quantitative data were collected from 66 athletes using a validated 46-item questionnaire covering four domains: Athletics Facilities, Athletes’ Training Practices, Coaching Quality, and Sports Office Support. The instrument demonstrated satisfactory to excellent internal consistency (overall α = 0.862). Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with coaches and technical specialists, along with structured facility observations. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analysis, one-way ANOVA, and multiple linear regression were conducted using SPSS version 26 at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: Athletes reported very low levels of satisfaction across athletics facilities (M = 1.42), training practices (M = 1.72), coaching quality (M = 1.23), and sports office support (M = 1.36), indicating widespread structural and institutional deficiencies. Pearson correlation analysis revealed strong, positive, and statistically significant relationships between athletic performance and coaching quality (r = 0.812), training practices (r = 0.764), athletics facilities (r = 0.733), and sports office support (r = 0.709). Multiple regression analysis identified coaching quality (β = 0.681) as the strongest predictor of athletic performance, followed by training practices (β = 0.549), athletics facilities (β = 0.512), and sports office support (β = 0.438). Collectively, these factors explained 74.3% of the variance in athletic performance (R² = 0.743, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Athletic performance development in the Kellem Wollega Zone is constrained primarily by interconnected deficiencies in coaching capacity, training systems, infrastructure, and institutional support rather than by a lack of athlete potential. Enhancing coaching quality, strengthening training structures, investing in basic athletics facilities, improving institutional coordination, and effectively leveraging available environmental conditions are essential for sustainable athletic performance development. An integrated, evidence-based approach is critical to improving long-term performance outcomes in the region.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Desalegn Nageso Katebu, Abdi Gudeta Taye, Tilahun Asrat Mandefro, Dirbeba Maddesa Derresa, Dessalegn Wase Mola
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