Relationship between profiles and managerial competencies of selected soccer club managers in Uganda

Abstract

Over the past three decades, the level of soccer performance in Uganda has been on the decline. Several _fact?rs have been advanced for this trend, including the poor management practices of the soccer administrators, which in tum has been attributed to low academic levels and lack of professional training. However, a large section of the soccer fraternity was of the view that experience as a player was sufficient for one to efficiently manage a soccer club. This prompted a study to compare the profiles (including academic qualifications, professional training, However a large section of the soccer fraternity was of the view that experience as a player was sufficient for one to efficiently manage a soccer club experience and remuneration) of selected soccer club managers in Uganda and their managerial competencies. It was carried out under the title: "The relationship between profiles and managerial competencies of selected soccer club managers in Uganda." The purpose of this study was to establish whether there is a relationship between the profiles of the selected soccer club managers and their managerial competencies. The study was guided by three objectives which involved establishing the profiles of the selected soccer club managers, assessing their managerial competencies, and establishing whether there was a relationship between the profiles and managerial competencies of these managers. The study used a correlation and descriptive survey design. The managers and assistant managers of all the fourteen Super League Clubs and seventeen Big League Clubs were involved in the study, bringing the sample size to sixty-two respondents. Data was collected using questionnaires and analyzed using means, frequencies, percentages, standard deviation, Pearson Correlation and one-way ANOV A. The findings revealed that there was a positive correlation of .522 (at p= 0.01 significance level), between the profiles and managerial competencies of the selected soccer club managers. Those who had attained a higher level of academic qualifications, spent a longer duration in club management, earned a salary, and received fringe benefits, had more managerial competencies. However, of all the profiles considered in the study, the level of academic qualifications had the strongest relationship with managerial competencies at .522(at p=O, 01), with remuneration in forms other than salary having the weakest relationship at .269(at p=O, 01). Results also showed that most managers exhibited more competencies in the field of human resource management. The study recommended that profiles of the soccer club managers in Uganda should be improved through Manager Development courses and seminars in order to improve their managerial competencies, and that minimum qualification should be set for soccer club managers at different levels.