Abstract:
The purposes of this study are to study the practice and challenges of coaching athletics:
focusing on selected under 17 athletics projects in Debre Markos city administration. The
subjects in this study were 90(100%) trainee athletes and 6(100%) coaches of the respective;
selected from the total population of 90 and 6 respectively. As a methods of data gathering
tools; questionnaire, interview, observational checklist and document analysis were employed.
To analysis the collected data, both qualitative and quantitative methods such as descriptive
statements and frequency counts, percentage, means, standard deviation, Chi- square and t-test
were on use respectively. The result of the study revealed that trainee athletes’ practice on
average 3 days per week having one session per day that runs 1:45 hrs. Besides, some trainee
athletes’ are regular students of either elementary or high schools. The major constraints
associated with trainee athletes training are found to be lack of individualized training for
different track and field events, lack of adequate facilities, lack of sufficient incentive and
motivation, and lack of adequate and balance diet. At the same time, among various factors that
impede trainee athletes training in the clubs well equipped gymnasium, transportation,
recreational center and medical service were found to be the scarcest ones. To overcome these
problems, the following recommendations have been forwarded. These are re-examine the
raining days, sessions and time spent in each session; working with all stakeholders so as to
solve the problems of facilities; working jointly with regional and zonal sport commissions,
Debre Markos athletics federation, Debre Markos University, … etc and more should be done
in recruitment procedures to include more talented athletes’ in the clubs, on require bases on –job training should be offered for coaches; once equipments as well as qualified man power the
clubs should open its door for individuals and clubs with reasonable cost.
