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Perception Of Young Athletes On Pre-Match Prayers

Joel, Kerimu Ikazuwagbe

Human Kinetic Education, Faculty of Education, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

Orcid ID: 0000-0003-3523-4272

Abstract

In the world of sports, pre-match prayers by young athletes have become a popular phenomenon, especially in developing countries and it can be individual or team affairs. This study examines young athletes’ perception of pre-match prayers based on religiosity and protection. The study employed a descriptive survey design. Data were collected from 389 young athletes from different states in Nigeria at the National Youths Game 2021 using a questionnaire. The questionnaire’s Cronbach’s coefficient alpha was 0.73. Frequencies, percentages, means, and standard deviations were used to analyse the data. The results of this study revealed that a total of 1013 (65.1%) favourable responses and 543 (34.9%) unfavorable responses to pre-match prayer based on religiosity. While, pre-match prayers based on protection results revealed that, a total of 1099 (70.6%) favorable responses and 457 (29.4%) unfavorable responses. It concludes among other considerations that sport-related prayers by young athletes are all derived by extrinsic motivation with secular goals in mind. The findings of this study could be used as an effective technique for sports psychologists, coaches, and managers, and parents to deal with religiously inclined young athletes.

Keywords: Sports, Young athletes, Prayer, Religiosity, Protection, Psychology

Impact Statement

The article “Perception of Young Athletes on Pre-match Prayers” examined the perception of pre-match prayers among young athletes in Nigeria, focusing on their religiosity and the perceived protection they offer. Pre-match prayer has become the norm among most young athletes. By examining the perceptions of young athletes regarding pre-match prayers, this study reveals the reasons why athletes engage in this practice. The findings in this study will assist sports psychologists, coaches, managers, and parents in dealing with religiously inclined young athletes towards achieving optimal sports performance. The study will also assist them in understanding the role of religiosity and spirituality in sports participation/performance.

About Author

Joel, Kerimu Ikazuwagbe is a Lecturer II in the Department of Human Kinetics Education at the University of Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria and he has been involved in teaching, research, and administrative/ community services. He is currently a PhD (Sociology of Sports) candidate at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. His areas of research interest are but are not limited to Sports gambling, Sports for community transformation, Sports and religion and  Physical Fit Society. He is a member of many national and international professional associations. He is a research scholar who has published in reputable national and international journals and has attended several national and international conferences where he presented research papers.

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