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Determinants of the Development of Disability
Sport in Kenya
Janna Crawford, a former Leisure Studies Masters student,
conducted qualitative research in Nairobi, Kenya during the summer of
2003. The purpose of this study was to identify the challenges that affect
the growth of sports for the disabled in Kenya. Specifically, the study
attempted to explore the problems that athletes with disabilities and
administrators face in their participation in sport at a national level.
This study aimed to identify the challenges that athletes with disabilities
and administrates believe prevent the growth of sport for the disabled
in Kenya.
 Five
major themes were identified with respect to the constraints faced by
athletes and administrators. Issues related to coaching, equipment, facilities,
negative attitudes toward people with disabilities, and lack of financial
resources proved to be the biggest barriers identified by the respondents.
Based on the findings of this study a hierarchical model of leisure constraints
at the societal level was developed and propositions that explain its
operation were put forth.
This research provided a significant contribution to understanding
the particular barriers of sports for athletes with disabilities. The
limited exsisting research hampers the development of sports for the disabled,
thus this research hopes to expand our understanding of the factors that
prevent the development of sports for the disabled in Kenya. By focusing
on athletes on the national teams and administrators, we will be in a
better position in assess the parameters the restrict sport for the disabled
in Kenya.
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