Sports activities toward sports talent development: Do the perceptions of school administrators, teachers and students matter?

This study provides unique insights that contribute to well-rounded and effective sports activities in secondary schools for sports talent development by determining the perceptions of school administrators, teachers, and students. Data were triangulated using a questionnaire and interviews of 427 respondents from seven secondary schools in Tanzania who completed the survey. The results were significant since KMO>0.5, and Bartlett's was less than 5 % (Sig. = 0.000). School administrators, teachers, and students perceived that securing support for competitive sports activities from the population and media, and designing sports programmes, influences sports talents. Furthermore, sports activities influence collaborations with sports associations and federations towards sports talent, provide comprehensive sports training content, form strong and reflective school boards for sports talent development, enable school administrators and teachers to review sports talent progress, and follow plans set as a basis for sports talent training. This study addresses that for sustainable sports talent development, involving stakeholders should be considered as they are directly responsible for policies and resource management, as well as understanding the practical challenges and implementation. • Offers insights on sports activities' role in talent development in secondary schools. • Data from 427 respondents in 7 schools were analyzed via surveys and interviews. • Participants saw sports activities as key for support and designing talent programs. • Sports activities enable collaboration, training, review, and strong school boards. • Stakeholder involvement is vital for sustainable talent development in schools.