Modern Trends in Sports Administration and Management

One of the major factors militating against the development of sports in Nigeria today is lack of effective management. The author adds that this text thus takes a critical look at topical issues in sport administration and management, dwelling on theories and principles of modern trends in sports administration and management such as leadership, organization, planning, motivation, etc.

modern trends — The text contains 16 chapters. Here, Joseph says management is a concept that implies different things to different people at different times, thus leading to its multiplicity of definitions.

This author expatiates that as an art, sports management is all about carrying out sports organizational functions and tasks through people; while as a science, sports management is about establishing sports philosophy, laws, theories, principles, processes and practices.

Joseph says as a person or group of people, sports management may refer to the head alone or to all the senior staff, committee, etc.; while as a discipline, management is a field of study with various subjects and topics. The author illuminates that sports management as a process is about a systematic way of doing things. Joseph highlights management functions in sports administration as planning, organizing, staffing, directing/leading, controlling, coordination, budgeting and evaluation. On whom a sports manager is, this author educates that a sports manager is anyone at any level of sport organization who directs the efforts of other people towards the achievement of organizational goals sport-wise.

Chapter two is based on the subject matter of evolution and modern trends of sports management thought. Here, Joseph discloses that the development of thoughts on sports management dates back to the days when people first attempted to accomplish goals by working together in a group. In his words, “There was serious thinking and theory about managing many years before the dawn of the twentieth (20th) century, which marked the beginning of modern trends in sports management thought. Major efforts to develop theories and principles of sports management began from the early twentieth (20th) century with the work of Frederick Taylor and Henri Fayol. The industrial revolution of the nineteenth (19th) century probably provided the climate for this very serious theory.”

Joseph adds that since the turn of the 20th century, writers on sports management and business theory have been propounding different theories about how to manage work and personnel more efficiently and effectively. This author educates that the three main schools of management thought are: the classical; the human-behavior; and the integrative. Joseph also highlights early sports management theorists; principles and characteristics of scientific management; appraisal of the scientific management theory, etc., in this chapter.

He adds that management principles must therefore be based on general terms for them to be applicable within sport organizations of varying sizes and character. This is because no single principle can suit all administrative situations,” submits Joseph.

This author expatiates that some of these principles are: responsibility; delegation of authority and communication. As regards humanitarian principles of sports management, Joseph identifies these as democracy, justice, human relations, sympathy, empathy, consideration and humility.

In chapter four based on the concept of behavior and motivational theories in sports organization, the author says human beings are unique creatures as they behave differently under different conditions and are mostly difficult to predict. Joseph stresses that since human beings constitute the most important element in sports organization, sports managers need some understanding of why people behave in one way or the other, so that they (sports managers) can influence people to perform exactly the way sports organizations find desirable.However, it has been an important and a puzzling subject for sports managers.” Joseph further discusses development of motivational concepts in sports organization; application of motivational theories to sports management; methods of behavior modification, etc., in this chapter.

In chapters five to ten. the author beams his analytical searchlight on subject matters such as management techniques in sports organization;

  • the concept of sports organization
  • setting design in sports organization
  • the concept of planning in sports administration
  • making sports organizations more effective in Nigeria and staffing in sports organizations.

Chapter 11 is based on communication strategies in sports organization. According to Joseph here, communication is a crucial factor in any organizational effectiveness. Because organizations cannot function effectively when communication skills are lacking among members. “Since communication is the moving spirit in an organization, its absence may make organizations standstill,” asserts this author.
In chapters 12 to 16. Joseph X-rays concepts such as organizational changes and development in

  • sports administration
  • leadership in sports administration and management
  • administration and management of soccer as a coach
  • teaching human kinetics and health education in schools and colleges
  • and organization and administration of schools at various levels of education.

As regards mode of presentation, this text scores a pass mark. To ensure easy study of the text on readers’ part. Joseph highlights the objectives of each chapter at the beginning and ends with review/revision questions.

What’s more. He creatively embroiders the text with graphics (pages 50,97,317,330,338,395,etc.) to enhance readers’ understanding through visual communication. Joseph includes references at the end of each chapter to fulfil academic obligation of source. Disclosure and offer readers opportunities to read more. Inclusion of many references also confirms the depth of his research. His use of visual distinction for the phrase in the title is emphatically creative.

If there are chapters that really make this text qualified. As a compendium of modern trends solutions to the administrative and management problems. Plaguing our sports development in Nigeria, they are chapters four, eight, 11 and 13. This is because they discuss motivation, planning, communication and leadership respectively.

Meanwhile, the thematically greatest chapter of all is chapter four. The fact that it is consciously or unconsciously taken to be the greatest chapter finds practical expression. In the deeper communication and cohesion between its subject matter on the one hand and the outer. Front cover’s allegorical visuals or metaphorical images such as goal

  • post
  • cyclists racing
  • a lawn tennis player poised for action with her bat
  • sprinters competing and footballers struggling for ball possession
  • on the other hand.