Abstract:
Nutritional status has a direct bearing on the level of physical and Athletic performance of
every individual. Good nutritional status is the cornerstone which helps sports person to
maintain all important body functions so that we can grow and develop properly and lead
healthy and active lives. The significance of a healthy, balanced diet and its links to good health
and improved sports performance is now a key aspect of the sportsperson’s lifestyle. The present
study was designed to assessing the Nutritional status and its effect on Metahara Sugar Factory
Football Club players in East Shoa Zone of Oromia Regional States, Ethiopia. In order to
achieve this objective the researcher have design to use the Descriptive Survey research design.
Relevant information were collected through Questionnaire, Interview, FGD and Observation
during meal time of the respondents. About 40 study subjects (25 players, 1 head coach, 1
assistance coach, 1 therapist, 1 team leader and 11 committee members including the club
manager) were targeted purposively. For data analysis, the researcher was used SPSS Version
22 using descriptive statistics like frequency and percentages. Poor meal pattern in terms of
nutritional contents, relation of meal before, during and after training and match, was seen.
This poor meal pattern results from lack of attention while preparation of meal menu which is
caused due to shortage of allocated budget from the sugar factor for annual club activities.
Thus it was recommended that to increase the performance of the club players, all responsible
bodies (the players, the club, Metahara sugar factory, Oromia Football Fedration and the
Sugar Corporation) should have to pay attention to the issue in order to improve the current
poor nutritional status practice in the club.
