Managerial Experience and Leadership Effectiveness of Sports Managers Towards Sports Development in Delta State, Nigeria

Uririkoghene Glory Orugboh (Delta state University)
Emmanuel Oghenebrorien Akarah (Delta State University)

Pinisi Journal of Social Science
Vol 5, No 1 (2026): May

Sustainable financing mechanisms are essential for the development, maintenance and effective operation of recreational facilities that enable physical activity, leisure, tourism, social interaction and community well-being. However, empirical studies on the extent to which alternative funding sources forecast patronage of recreational facilities in Nigeria are limited. The study analysed the combined and independent role of public and private funding on patronage of recreational facilities in Ethiope East Local Government Area, Delta State, Nigeria. A cross-sectional descriptive survey design and correlational-predictive approach were used. The study population consisted of 6500 users of 11 selected recreational facilities. The Taro Yamane formula was used to select 377 respondents through the multistage sampling process. The researchers-developed a structured questionnaire (IPPFRFCPQ) was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression were used to analyse the data at 0.05 level of significance. The results showed that the patronage of the selected recreational facilities was very high. Public and private funding jointly significantly predicted customer patronage, accounting for 67% of the variance in patronage. However, when the two funding sources were analyzed together, public funding was found to be a very strong and significant positive predictor of customer patronage β = 0.16, t = 5.21, p = 0.000 and public funding was also found to be a very strong and significant positive predictor of customer patronage β = 0.18, t = 6.00, p = 0.000). The private funding was more successful in explaining some of the variation in customer patronage that could not be accounted for by the other factors. The results highlight the need for sustainable funding in order to keep facilities in good shape and improve user experience during their recreational activities. The study suggests a greater emphasis on public investment, with the possibility of introducing the right type of public–private partnerships for the provision of additional resources, enhanced quality of facilities and services, and increased patronage.