AWARENESS OF UNDER-17 ATHLETES PROJECT TRAINEES TOWARDS NUTRITIONAL BENEFIT FOR PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT, THE CASE OF BATU TOWN, EAST SHOWA,OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the awareness of under-17 athletes project trainees towards nutritional benefit for performance enhancement in Batu town, East Showa,Oromia, regional state, Ethiopia. There were 92 u-17 athlete trainees and 4 youth sport project coaches in 4 sport types which found in Batu town. Total population of 96 (67 male and 29 female) were selected as sample by using non probability sampling from 4 sport type youth project. For this study descriptive survey method was employed, relevant data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The data were distributed and collected from 92 u-17 trainees and 4 coaches. The data obtained through these were analyzed both quantitatively and qualitatively. Quantitatively the analysis is made using tables of descriptive percentage and then worded through qualitative. Based on major finding of the study the following points were stated as, u-17 athletes had not knowledge about sport nutrition, they didn’t focus to read about nutritional issues and they awareness was poor. Most of Batu town youth project coaches not take nutrition course from concerned body when they take coaching course. Based on this the researcher recommends that Batu town sport commission and concerned body should work jointly to improve awareness of the u-17 athlete trainees and coaches, also coaches should motivate them to read books that written concerning nutrition and sport to change their attitude towards sport nutrition, nutrients and its advantages for sport performance enhancement and nutritional education is needed for the coaches