Examining Sports Participation among High School Students in Mardan Division

Abstract

This study investigates the current state of sports participation among high school students in the Mardan Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The research aimed to evaluate participation levels, identify dominant sports, explore motivational factors, and examine district-wide differences in student involvement. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey design was used. Data were collected from 114 Physical Education Teachers (PETs and SPETs) working in government boys’ high schools across Mardan and Swabi districts. A self-developed structured questionnaire, validated by experts and piloted before implementation, was used as the primary instrument. The study employed census sampling, and responses were analyzed using SPSS (Version 27). Descriptive statistics (frequencies, percentages) and inferential tests (One-sample t-test, independent samples t-test, Pearson Chi-Square) were applied at a 0.05 significance level. The findings revealed that sports participation is moderate, with many schools allocating limited time and resources to regular sports activities. Cricket emerged as the most dominant sport, significantly preferred by students across both districts. The Mardan district demonstrated significantly higher levels of student participation compared to Swabi. Furthermore, fitness and health emerged as primary motivators for students engaging in sports, with statistically significant associations noted between fitness and participation levels. Although schools promote sports, participation remains uneven and limited by infrastructural and administrative constraints. District-level disparities and student preferences suggest the need for targeted interventions. The study underscores the importance of enhancing school-based sports programs, improving facilities, and incorporating structured physical education into curricula to foster long-term student well-being and engagement.