University of Nigeria Virtual Library

Serial No ISBN: 978-2442-56-9

Author 1

OKEY Umeakuka A.

Author 2 Author 3

Title The Role of University Senate in the Development of University Sports

Keywords

Description The Role of University Senate in the

Development of University Sports

Category Health and Physical Education

Publisher Anambra State Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation, Sport and Dance

Publication Date

March, 2003

Signature

ysical, Health Education, !ation, Sport . and Dance

EDITORIAL BOARD MEMBERS

Dr. 0. M. Abone - Editor-in-Chief Dr. E. C. Agbanusi - Member Dr. A.I. Ogbalu - Member Dr. O.C.N. Okonkwor - Managing Editor 07. G O . Umeasiegbu - Member

CONSULTING EDITORS

Dr, (Mrs) F.B. Adoyanju - ARU, Zaria f3rofesssor FA. Amuchie - University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Proisssor S. U. Ariyanwu - University of Nigeria, Nsukka. Dr. 0 S . A . lkhioya - National Institute for Sports. Professor E.O. Ojeme - University of Benin, Benin-city Professor J.O. Okafor - Nnarndi Azikiwe University, Awka. Professor S.O. Urnedum - Nnarndi Azikiwe University Awka.

CONTtN l S Foreword ......................................................................... ii ... Editorial comments ...................... :. ..................................... 111

Chairman's message .......................................................... .iv Guidelines for contributors .................................................. .vi

. Table of Content ............................................................. vii

SECTION A: &ysicaI Education Mgbdr, M.O. & Arrynnjor , A. . , , Percinvod importancrt of coaching objectives by Coaches In Nigerian Univers~t~es. ................................. 1 Onuzulike, Nonye .. .In-campus student's perception of Physical Exercises .

as hea!th promotion index. ................................................... 1 I

Uever, J.N. ... Risk management strategies for effective implementation of quality URE Physical Education and Sports programmes. ................. .24

SECTION B: &a+W-&ducajion Ogbalu, 1x.l. ... Methods and rnatarials of teaching Health Education in secondary schools. .................................................................... 31

... Ogbuji, Comfwt Health prob!ems and health facilities provision for pre- school children in Nsukka LGA. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37

SECTION C: Hecruution . Nwankwor, 0.13. R Nwslkamma, J.C. ... Recreation for physical fitness of Nigerian youths. ....................................................................... .49 Urneasiegbu.G.0. ,..Recreation for effective health promotion of Nigerian students at Tertiary Institutions ..................................................... 56

... Ukah, M.O. In search of the keys to effective leisure pursuit among the handicapped as a basis for healthy livinq. ....................................... 64

. Umeifekworn, J.E. ...physical fitness dellvery through schools in Nigerian cornmun~ties: significance and strategies lor achieviry community based recreative exerciso plugramme. .................................................... 75

SECTION D: Sport . Amuchie, F.A. ... Politics of sports in the Nigerian Universities. .......... 85

Abone, O.M.. .Marketing ar:d sponsorship of sports in Nigerian schools.95 Onuchukwu, F.C .... 'The role of sports in preventive medicine. ......... 105 Umeakuka, O.A. ... The role of University Senate in development of University sports. ...................................................................... -120

SECTION E: Dance Okonkwor,O.C.N.. .The socio-psychological influence of the Nigerian indigenous dances on secondary school students in Enugu metropolis..

vii

. THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITY SENATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNIVERSITY SPORTS

by

Okey A Umeakuka (Pn. D)

Abstract

The purpose of this paper was to x - ray the roles University Senate could . play irr the development of University Sports. The discussion focused on tho tJnivobity sf Niaori~ ssnnts rolas in sports dovelopmunt as a typical I

senate. 7/10 paper exdmined sports programmes of a typical Ni~erinn Univursity, rolt~tionshlps betweerr sports a ~ d acadorr~ics, rnodels of sports aclminisfratiot~ in Nigorian Universities, and then the positior~ of the senate In University ~ r r d spotis odn~inistrution. Tho rrrnnd~~tos of the Sonnte Spo~is Cour~cll Committee were higl~lighted and the implications of these mandates and ofher relevant aspec-ls of sports developn-r~t in the

I Universit.y were pointed out. It was then concluded that the Senate is a -1 very shtegic organ in sports development of a University.

I : Introduction Sports programmes exist in many settings and the University is one. The University is the highest tertiary educational institution of any country.

; Sports pi.ogrammes are, therefore, expected to be very well devclopud at thla lovel. Sports dovelopment is tho process of continuous improvemer~t .

! of sports otructuws, Inatltutlone, and proOrammos In ordur to crooto a , societal condition conduciva to physical fitness for all and the effective , functioning and self-actualization ensured (Sports Devoloprnent Policy for

Nigerii, 1989). Sports development, therefore, is concerned with '

improvement in all facets of sports like improvement in facilities and : equipment, the sports personnel, performance, sports administration. I participation rates of different ages and gender, di@e& types of qm&

. - programme, researches in the area of sports. semiwus and w w k k q s m

; sports. Application of modem techniques and principks of tmining. ar*l 1 computer in sports situations are also aspects of sports cfm&pet

a Sports development in. the University settings is, to say 'the least, inrportant. Kimka (1990) observed that Ih U- (and b%ay '

institutions) arc in a good positson to mk subskmtial conlributWn lo . nabowl sports. He no@! that Universities in Ammka, Euqw and the . !Soviet Union contribybd immensely to their national teams. Unfortunately

' '

the contributions of Universities to national teams in Nigeria leave much to be desired. The situation becomes more worrisome when we remember

120

THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITY SENATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNIVFRSITY SPORTS

that our higher institutions consist of youthful, strong, intelligent, '

resourceful, skillful, and energetic students (Onifade, 1990). Also Onifade (1995) noted that the poor showing of our higher institutions in international sporl competitions and their inability to produce athletes for our national teams Is not as.a result of dearth of talented athletes. This is therefore situation enough to warrant identification and analysis of all

'

possible factors and organs related to sports development in Nigerian Llriiversities. It is in line with this rwed that this papor is focusing attention on the roles of the University Senates in development of University sports. The University of Ni~er ia Senate provisions formod tho hasis of dlscussions and analysis in this paper. The following section will, however, take a look at sports programmes .of a typical Nigerian University.

Sports programmes of a typical Nigerian University Basically there are three sports programmes in a typical Nigerian University namely: the Instructional programme, the lntraniural programme, hnd thn Inter-scholastic prsqrammo.

It is difficult to think of a University in Nigeria that does not have the depadment of Health and Physical Education. It is this department that administers the Instructior~al Physical Education and Sports .programme. This programme is also known as the service or the required programme.

According to Voltmer and Esslinger (1 967) it emphasises instruction in the basic skills of sports and physical activities. The objective is to provide each student with the minimum essentials of physical education (and sports). It occupies a very important position in sports development efforts of every ilniversity. .

The intramural sports programme is otherwise called "sports for all" programme. It involves only students within the walls of an institution. This programme ~ccommodates both talonled and untalented students within an instltutlon irrospectivo of sox or crcod. Tho disabled ere equally accommodated. The programme is planned in such a way that every student can find his leve! in it. In other words it demands that varieties of facilities and equipment tor different.sporting activities should be provided to make it possible for almost every student to find at least one activity of hislher interest to participate in. This requirement suggests a serious responsibility .for the mar;agers of sports in the Universities to provide varied sporfs facilities.

There is also the interscholastic sports programme in a typical Nigeria University. This Is the sports programme for the talented athletes.

1t1L ROLE OF UNIVERSITY SENATE IN THE: DEVtLOPMENT OF UNIVERSITY SPORl S

The situation is that there are many student athletes who do not find tmough satisfactlon and fultilment in the opportunities provided by the instructional and the intramural sports programmes. Interscholastic programme, therefore, affords such attllctes the chance of meeting tticrr !~kss from ottier Unlvsn~tias In a competitive situation. The t~ational and international institutional sports meets such as NUGA, WAUG etc fall within tho interscholastic sports arrangement. This should also be a serious concern of sports development agencies in Nigerian Universities.

Voltmer and Esslinger (1967) noted that each of the three sports programmes identified above is important, and no physical education (and sports) programme is completo unless onch of these aspects is well developed, coordinated, and integrated. This implies that any serious sports development effort in Nigerian Universities must give attention to all the three programmes. This should be so because each of thom hi13 somollling voiy vital lo conlrtbulu lo tho O V U I ~ I ~ ~ syo1l.s dovolol)rt\o~rt po~turo of ~ o f y IJnlvor~illy, Orlo rnuy u l ltds polnl ask why It is nocttssary to dovdop sports In a University that should focus on i~cadsrnics. The answer can hc found in tho relatior~ships bdtween sports and academics. '

Relationstiips botwosn sports and acadcmics .

'I ill this moment the theory that man is of a dual nature is accepted by many people. These aspects are the body and the mind. The body is believed to house the mind. While tho mind is associntnd with t lw iptrdlocluitl dirrrtlrllsl0n of man tho body is the physical and visible aspect.

Human bclng can- ho enytltity but man when the body is separated from the mind. Acadrmic proyrammos are meant to enhance the operations of the mind but the condition of the body cannot be ignored in the process. A sourid mind should dwell in a sound body. Sports make an indispensable contribution to botn physical and mental development of an individual and therefore should not be neglected In the process of acadcin~c impravcrnont. Sports in higher institutions provide the opportunity for students with sul~drior athletic ability to compete at an advanced level wthm the tramwork of carefully defined educat~onal goals so that they cat) reach their maxlniunl potential (Cnifade, 1995).

The University of Nigeria student handbook for 1981 -1 982 identified physical involvement as one of tho ways to iniploment the Unlvursity 01 Nigeria educational objectiveness. According to the handbook tne University of Nigeria has responsibility for students' health, fitness and welfare, Also the students at the University ot Nigeria should have good knowledge of the body and how to use it properly, effectively, and with satisfaction; students should learn to engage in recreat~onal activities for

the time use; and that excellence should apply in physical as well as in mental development. By implication students who participate in sporling '

actlvltios stand to roop sonlo phy~lcu!, mrlntal, social, mi omotlonnl benefits. The three types of sports programmes mentioned in the previous section are all capable of bequeathing these ideals on the programmo participants. The point needs to be made here that it is only a well structured and administered sports programmes that can realize these outcomes.

Models of sports administration in Nigerian Universities Omoruuh (1 (3%) Idur~t~fiod throo rno~lolh ol sports odm~nistralion in Nlgerian Univcrsitius. Tho first model which was Identified w~th the Unlvorslty of Ifo (now Obefoml Awolowo University) Is whore tho Institute of Physical Education (Department of Physical Education) was solely In charge of sports in the entire University with the Sports Council playing an adv~sory role. Under this arrangement the director of the institute (head of the department) is the academic head as well as sports menagor and the staff of the institute (department) formed the core of the coaching team. . 2

Coaches from the State Sports Council and some volunteers among the ,! universities staff also help in coaching. 1

The second pattern of sports administration in Nigerian Universities is the creation of a sports sect~on under the students Affairs Department. Therc: is Sports Council with a director of sports And a chairman who is norrdnatod by the Vica-Chancollor and usually n professor who may or may r!ot know much ubout sports. Tho milin furrclion of the chuirman Is to

' get some money from the Vice-Chancellor lor sporting assignments. There is also an elected student unicn director of sports. This arrangement did not make for smooth running of sports in the institution as the director of sports and the chairman often findnthemselves on a .collusion course.

The third model of sports administration in Nigerian Universities, flccardlng to Omoruah, in a situation whereby the Student Affairs office is solely in charge of sports. The office employs a director of sports and somotirnes the football coach acts as tho sports director. The approach has an elected executive member of the students union who is in charge of sports. The students have full control of sports.

. Today there is an increasing involvement of University Senate in sports administration. The University of Nigeria Senate. as a typical University Senate in Nigeria. is involved in sports administration. The place of Senate in University and sports administration in this University is examined in the next sectiox

The Senate in University and Sports Administration Accoraing to the National Universities Comniission (1997) the law of a typical Nigerian University provides that "it shall be the general function of tho Senate to organize arld control the teachmg at the University and the admission nnd discipline of students and to promote research at the Urhwsity". Senate, therefore, is responsible for all the academic affairs of the University including the prov~sion of courses and approval of syllflhuuos, the admission and progress of sludonts lhrough examinal~ons and othorwlso, Sonatu oparrstuv Ilirough cotnt~rlllooe and boords. Ari l d ~ of these commit~oes and boards of a typical University Senate will givc a clearer picture of the scope of functions ofa University Senate.

; The University of Nigeria Senate has such committees and boards as: buslness cornrr~ittee, entrance board, examination committee, board of the school of postgraduate studies, scholarship committee, curriculum committee, development committee, research grants cominiltee, advisory committon on foralgn sludtjirls, ceremonial cornnrrltou, Careors bodrd. and committee on award of honorary degroos. Clthurs sro pul~licatrow committoo, library board, tlmolable cornnxlloe, calendar sditor~tll board, and the Sendto Sports Counc~l Committee (University of Ni~eria Calondar, 3991 - 1993), Ttie dutic-ts of the Sonate spolts cuuric~l corn~nrt!se only will be the conccrn ot !his paper.

The University of Nigeria Calendar (1991-1993) has the following terms of referonce to the Senate Sports Council Cornmi1t::e:

(1

(i i )

(iii)

to work out a ~ d advice the St311ato and adrninirtrnt~sn on broad policies regarding the sporting activities of the llniversity, particularly witti rospcct to It-~u overill sports programme of the University, the time-table of events, and the participation in Nnhonal arld lnterrintioni~l sporting dvpnts of the U~~iverslty's tuamc and I ur officials;

to see to the acquisition, effective utilization. care and mainterlance of various sports equipment and facilities belonging to the IJniversity other than equipment 2nd facilities belonging specifically to the department of Health and Physical Education;

to promote in collaboration with the Depatment of Health and Physical Education, active participation of our sports men and wornen, staff and students of the Universityin continuous sporting activities, in such a manner as to enhancs the success of the University in outside compeutive sporting evtnts;

THE ROLE OF UNIVERSITY SENATE IN THE DEVCI.OPMENT OF UNIVERSITY SPORTS

to advlse on the University's financial needs for sport!;, to prepare draft annual budget for sports, and be responsible to the Bursar for the control and disbursement of the funds so provided;

to consider' and make recommendations to the Vice-Chancellor on.the appointment of suitable Coaches (part-time or full -time) for the University's sporting activities other than specific programmes of the Department of Health and Physical Education; and

to deal with any other matter as may be referred to it by the Vice-Chancellor.

These mandates spell the authwities and the expected activities of this committoo, Thoy nll havo far roaching Implicelions for sport development in the University.

The role of the Senate Sports Council Committee in the University Sports Development The University Senate Sports Council committee has the responsibility to work out sports policies. This mandate has armed the Senate with the strongest weapon to develop sports in the University. Such sports issues as mass parlicipation and making it compulsory for every student to take some credits in recreation and sports before graduation requlres some force of law to actualize them. If the Senate does this it will give every student an opportunity to be exposed compulsorily to some sports skills. This will be a very goou opportunity to identify sports talents in the Universities. The Universify Senate Sports Council Committee should pursue and implement these suggestions without aelay. The committee should note that for huge success to be recorded she has to collaboratrt with the department of Health and Physical Education as required by the mandate number three.

Compulsory exposure of 1111 students to courses in recreation and sports will give a big boost to the Intramural programmes in the University. Students wno picked somo sports skills in the compulsory courses will be more motiwted tn use ttwm in the Intramural programme which creates the opportunity to discover athletes for Inter- scholastic competitions. It is the strong belief of this author that hundreds, if not thousands, of talented world class athletes pass through our Universities and other higher institutions without baing discovered.

The mandate on finance and budgeting has a far reaching implications for University sports develo?ment. The sports council committees in. most

. a THE ROLE OF UNIVkRSITY SENATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNIVERSITY SPORTS

Univgrsities are eager to get money for sports only when the Universities '

are preparing for bic~ sports compotitions such as NUGA etc. Rarely would thcry bothar lhornsulves to raise money for development of the athletes and the facilities, It is rather more i~nporlant to spend money on development of athletes and facil~iies in o w 1Jnivc.rsitios than on conipetitron expenses. You are surer to get a better return on your .

investment when you spend more on development of athletes and facilities than on competitions.

'The "no money for sport" syndrome which has characterizsd many '

administrations of Nigerian Universities shoclld agitate the minds of the mcrnbers of the Senate Sports Committee. It should bother them that in nearly, if not all Universities in Nigeria, students pay sports fees and yet rhere is always "no money for sportsS'.'The Senate with all the powers can '

~ ; e t the administration to open up a separate account to be known as Sports Development Account (SDA) to which all sports fees must 80. Any other money raised for sports should also go into lhis account. It shall

'

then kn tho r~~ponslbll i ly of tho S t m l o t;yorlu cumrnllloo to ~ n s u n 3 Illat this money is used to^' sports development and not misappioprialed. If this Is honestly done you cnn ho assurod that In the very near future all the - Universities in Nigeria will have good and adequate spcrks txili l ies and equipniant m d the standard of perfor-rnance of the University athletes will improve. The Senate in the Universities should take up this chrr!lenge without further delay.

Part of the re.sponsibility of the Senate sports Council committee is to recommend to the Vice-Chancellor the appointment of suitablo coaches in t h e Univ~rsity. Recommendation and appointment of the coaches may not even be the most important. thir~g. The coaches nood to avail tbon~selwos of oppotunities of yrowU-\ in t,his all important responsibility.. Tho Committoo that recommended their appointmer~t should also ensure that opporlunities.for workshops, semlrlars, and short courses to update the c~f iches rwt slip t h m . The National Institute for Sports (NiS), for axample, runs short coaching clinics in almost all sports and toe comrniitee sliould make sure that the Universities sponsor the coaches.. This author is not aware that any University in Nigeria today has started .

doing this.

One area of conflict this author observed between the Universities Sports Councils and tho departrrwnt of Health and Physical Educat~on (where thsy exist) is in the control of sports facilities in the Universities. It is unfortunate that management of many sports Councils, especially where a non-professional is in charge, does not know that some sports facilities in the universities specifically exist as laboratories to the department of

THE. ROLE OF UNIVERSITY SENATE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF UNIVERSITY SPORTS

Health and Physical Education and as such cannot come under the control of the University sports Councils. The Surmte Sports Council committee should propnrly oducntt) wtioovt~r lu uppolntod tu tread the tlports councll. Thls Is necessary in order to achieve the collaboration between the sports council and the department of Health and Physical Education which has been identified as a necessity for sports development in Nigerian Universities. ,

Lecture fixtures in many Universities in Nigeria do not leave any time for many students to participate i r i sports. The Senate of overy University should set aside some specific periods each week for example 2.00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays for the students to participate In sports. These periods should be lecture free in all the departments and there should be a system of punishment for defaulting lacturers and departments. The students should be encouraged and made to realize that it is their right to play sports during those periods.

The Senate of every University can proniote sports through the activities of the research grants committee. Each University Senate should identlfy some critical areas of sports needs in the institutions and sponsor research activities in them. The Senate should also ensure that the outcome of such researches are applied to solution of the problems in view.

Conclusion The Sonates of Ni~erian Universities are in a good positlon to develop sports in the Institutions. Being in a position to formulate.sports policies, tho Senates can o,verhaul the pitiable sports conditions in most of Nigerian Universities. They can effect improvement in facilities and equipment, personnel, funding, and research which should be the primary focus of any honest sports development efforts. All that is required is sincerity of purpose en the part of the Senates and a remarkable improvement wit1 be recorded in the performances of Nigerian University athletes.

T H t H0l.k OI- UNIVt:t<>.illY 5k l ' lH l ' t It4 I t l k UEVELWRIENT OF UNIVEHSIIY SPOkTS

References

Kienka, G. (1 990). S~o@~5-aLm~ini$.t.ration in NigeriaJ Lagos: lnternalional 7'erinls Acadmy.

National Urrivursitios Cornrnission (1997). Manual of University manaqement. Abuja: Espee printing S( advertising Company.

Ornoruth J.C. (1996). A t-landhook on Physical Edu.c_ation, Sp& and Recreation. Nigeria: S. Asekorne & Co. ------.---

Onifade, A. (1995). Developing sports in higher institutions in Nigeria: Prcbiems and future directions. Journals of the National Institute for Sports. I (1);rtQ -43 ---------

Onifade, A. (I 990). Developing national athletes in Nigerian Univenitics for intcnlational competition. !n: T. A. ~dtx3clja (od), Sgorts Develoament in Nigeria, Lagos: Abuaso Raytons publishing company.

'Fodsral Government of Nigeria (1989). sorts Dovolonment Policv for Ni~er ia~ Lagos: The Izederal Government. --

University of Nigeria Calendar (1 991 -1 993). Enugu: Snaafi pi-t~ss Ltd.

Univiwsity of Nlgoria Student Handbook (1.001 -- 1902). Enrrgu: The Department of Student Affairs.

: Voltmer, E. F. R Esulirrger, A. A. (1997). ~ O m a n k a t i o n and ndrninistmt!on of ohsicat education. New Yorlc: .------..----- --.--- Appleton-,Century-Ci'~?~s.