Abstract:
This paper discusses the influence of past experience on sport
participation of University system in Sri Lanka, (With special reference to the
University of Kelaniya). In making a review of sport participation of
undergraduates it was noted that there is a regular decline over past period.
Hence, the focal problem was why such an unpleasant situation has taken place.
The study attempted to achieve three objectives of which the key objective was
‘to identify the influence of past experience for university students’ sport
participation’ and specific objectives were to recognize the degree of sport
participation in University of Kelaniya, and to provide better suggestions
enabling to set them motivated in this regard. To do this study in well manner
the researcher constructed research model based on what hypothesis namely,
past experience positively influence on sport participation of undergraduates.
According the research question was formulated that past experience positively
correlated with sport participation. Consistent with this hypothesis a research
question was also raised. There are so many researches done regarding University
students’ sport participation in the global context. However, there is a lack of
researches done so far in respect of past experience and sport participation. So
then it was noted that there is a research gap to be filled up and that vacuum has
been filled up by this study. In this particular case, for the inconvenience of the
analysis a sample consist of 100 sport participants were selected having
employed the Stratified Random Sampling method. The reason behind selection
of that sampling technique was facilitated to set the sampling population
dispersed stratified. As this study is empirical in nature as far as possible an
attempt was made to collect primary data. Meanwhile, secondary data were also
associated with a view to collect more data and to make a deeper clarification.
For presenting the data specially grafts, tables and percentage values were
associated. In case of analyzing the data correlation and simple regression were
applied using statistical software (SPSS 19.0). Both quantitative and qualitative
analyses were made under this study. The result shows that past experience of
sport positively correlated with sport participation of undergraduates. At the
end of this study, six findings were made. Based on this findings ultimately,
recommendations were produced in order to increase and stimulate the sport
participation of undergraduates. Additionally, suggestions for further researcher
have also been made at the end of the study
