PRACTICES CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS OF SHORT, MIDDLE AND LONG DISTANCE EVENTS TRAINEE ATHLETICS WITH SPECIFIC REFERENCE TO DEMBECHA ATHLETICS TRAINING CENTER

The purpose of this study was to assess the practices, challenges and prospects of short, middle and<br> long distance event trainee athletes, with specific reference to Dembecha Athletics Training Center at<br> Dembecha Town. The subjects were 28 short, middle and long distance event trainee athletes and 3<br> coaches and 5 administrative heads were selected purposefully. Questionnaires, interviews, and<br> observational cheek list were used to collect data. To analyze the collect data quantitative and<br> qualitative methods were used. The study exposed that short, middle and long distance event training<br> is classified according to ability, age and experience. It was stated by short, middle and long distance<br> event trainee that the training program is linked with specific Athletics event, 50% “very high”,<br> 21.43% “high”, 14.29% “medium”, 7.14% “Low” and 7.14% “very low” respectively. On the other<br> hand, a high percentage 66.67 “high”, and 33.33% Medium” is rated by coaches. Regarding the<br> benefit trainee Athletes’ have obtained from the training center, 57.14% of the athlete respondents<br> ranked their agreement between excellent and good. Similarly, 66.66% coach’s respondents rated<br> good and 33.33% fair. it was found out that Library, well equipped gymnasium, Showers, Medical<br> service and well prepared training field/track respectively are found not in abundant as asserted by<br> both groups of respondents. On the other hand, there are several problems that affect short, middle<br> and long distance event trainee athletes’ performance. The major constraints Lack of adequate and<br> balanced diet, Lack of well prepared and conducive training track and Lack of adequate<br> facilities…etc. Obtained data disclosed that training offered to short, middle and long distance event<br> trainee athletes were inadequate despite, it had a good future prospective. The study suggests a few<br> possible solutions to alleviate the problems. Dembech athletics training center should adjust the<br> training days, sessions and time spent in each training session. The concerned bodies are expected to<br> allocate enough budgets. The training center should have well qualified coaches, manager, sport<br> medicine professionals and administrative workers. The training center should have to work jointly<br> with different stake holders in order to achieve its goal.