AVAILABILITY AND COMPLIANCE WITH COVID-19 PREVENTIVE PROTOCOLS IN SPORT ARENAS DURING TRAINING AND COMPETITIONS IN SOUTH WEST, NIGERIA COVID-19

Abstract

Due to the high risk of COVID-19 transmission in sporting activities, relevant sports
authorities across the globe have established preventive protocols for COVID-19 in
sports trainings and competitions. The purpose of this study was to assess the
availability and compliance with COVID-19 preventive protocols in sports arenas in
southwestern Nigeria. The study employed a cross-sectional descriptive survey
research design. The study sample consisted of 220 respondents comprising 160
athletes, 20 sports administrators, and 40 spectators from four (4) states in Southwest
Nigeria. A multi-stage sampling approach was used, including cluster, stratified,
random, and convenience sampling techniques. A structured questionnaire with
elements of a 3-point Likert scale was used as an instrument for data collection. The
study found that standardized Covid-19 preventive protocols were available in sports
arenas in the study area, with a high level of compliance with the protocols among the
athletes (2.26 ± 0.55), spectators (2.40 ± 0.50), and sports administrators (2.50 ±
0.68). The study concluded that structured Covid-19 preventive protocols were
available in sports arenas in the study area, with a high level of compliance with the
Covid-19 preventive protocols among the athletes, spectators and sports
administrators in the study area. It was recommended that sports organization
authorities and the three stakeholders (athletes, spectators and sports administrators)
should sustain and strengthen the implementation of the COVID-19 preventive
protocols. In addition, the authorities should develop flexible frameworks that will
enable adaptation of the existing COVID-19 protocols to solve or manage future
occurrences of pandemics or health crises.