Challenges of Tirunesh Dibaba National Athletics Training Center Field Event Trainee Athletes’ in Assela - Ethiopia

Abstract

The present study was designed to identify the major challenges experienced by field event trainee athletes. In so doing the study was confined at Trunish Dibaba National Athletics Training Center in Ethiopia. To achieve the stated objective, the researcher mainly used qualitative case study methodology, as the topic under study focuses on a particular training center, and incorporates limited numbers of field event trainee athletes. The participants of this study were 12 field event trainee  athletes’, selected by purposive sampling techniques in the training year 2011 based on certain features: representing different sub-field events, experience, academic background, gender, and willingness of participation. As a method of data gathering tools in-depth interview, focus group discussion, and observation were employed. Taken together, of 12 trainee athletes 9 were interviewed, focus group discussion, and observation were employed. Taken together, of 12 trainee athletes, 9 were interviewed, and 3 athletes those who have not taken part in interview, participated in focused group discussion. The data secured through theses techniques were categorized and thematically analyzed to identify the major challenges. The result of the study, therefore, revealed that the major constraints associated with field event training as lack of effective & individualized training, cold weather, lack of sufficient, and balanced diet and lack of basic facility, 7 equipment. At the same time, among various facilities and equipment such as well-equipped gymnasium, transportation, recreational center, and medical service were found to be the scarcest once. To overcome these problems, recommendations were forwarded.

Key words: Athletics, Challenges, Field event, Training Center.