Talent Identification of Youth Track and Field Athletes, Employment of the Multivariate Approaches in Hagereselam Training Center in Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to assess the employment of multivariate approaches in talent identification of youth track and field athletes in Hagereselam training center in Sidama zone. For the execution of the study, a descriptive survey study design with retrospective approach was employed. The study subjects were selected as whole/census/. In this endeavor, data were collected through questionnaire consisting of Yes(1)/No(2)/Not known(3) alternatives to recall the way athletes were selected into the training center. The data collected through questionnaire was analyzed by SPSS version 25. Descriptive statistics was conducted; it was used to show the frequency and percentage of background information of the respondents. Means and standard deviations were also computed to assess the employment of different variables in multivariate approach of talent identification among the event group, age, sex, and the year spent in the center. Consequently, the study demonstrated the average mean scores M=1.90 of the physical variables, M=1.98±.04 of psychological variables, M=1.97±.10 of sociological variables respectively across both groups, both sexes, all age categories and all years of experiences which assured that the physical, psychological and sociological variables were not employed to identify talented athletes in to the training center. Whereas, the average mean score M=1.33 of competition variables assured that talent identification of the training center was almost solely depends on competition results only.

Keywords: Competition result, Multivariate approach, Physical variables, Psychological variables, Sociological variables, Talent identification, Training center.