Developing a framework to guide the introduction of wheelchair Cricket in Zimbabwe · Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Author

Nayoto, Osborn.

Title

Developing a framework to guide the introduction of wheelchair Cricket in Zimbabwe

Abstract

The study developed a framework for the introduction of wheelchair cricket in Zimbabwe. The mixed method approach was used and the research design was a survey. The target population included the Zimbabwe Cricket game development manager, the Zimbabwe Cricket provincial franchise general managers, the Zimbabwe Cricket Coaches, and the Zimbabwe Paralympic Committee administrators. For the survey, the purposive sampling technique was used for the qualitative strand whilst the probability sampling method was used for the quantitative strand. This research focused on those with a physical disability (those with spinal cord injuries, limb and leg losses were a result of an accident or as a result of a disease like polio and participating part in sport) who constituted 14 (70%), hearing impairment (those without the ability to hear completely or partially)4 (20%) and vision impairment (those who are completely blind and also partially) 2(10%). Of the respondents who participated under athletes 11 (55%) were male and 9 (45%) were female, under coaches 5(83.3%) were male and 1 (16.7%) female, and administrators 4(80%) were male and 1 (20%) female. For data processing and interpretation for quantitative analysis, the IBM Statistical Package for Social Sciences 27(SPSS) was utilized for data collected by questionnaires, and for qualitative analysis of data, NVIVO 14 was used. The key findings were that there are several challenges that are not supporting the launch of wheelchair cricket in Zimbabwe. Playing wheelchair cricket in Zimbabwe was found to be hard since modified facilities are hindered by the lack of modified entrances to facilities and the lack of modified playing areas, pitches, and ablution facilities. Accessibility for athletes with disability to facilities proves to be a major challenge. Also,the lack of adapted sports equipment like cricket balls and bats. For wheelchair cricket to be launched there is a need for sourcing of adapted sports equipment. There is a need to put some money into modifying practice and match facilities so that athletes with a disability have easy access. In the drafting of policies, the Zimbabwe Paralympic Committee, Government ministries and also athletes with disability should be roped in. There is need to come up with plans and policies to encourage the launch of a framework for different sporting disciplines to accommodate those people with disability in Zimbabwe.

Date

July 2024

Publisher

BUSE

Keywords

Developing a Framework,

Wheelchair Cricket, Zimbabwe

Supervisor

Dr. B. Khumalo,