POLICY INNOVATION OF BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS ON SPORTS MANAGEMENT IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN OGUN STATE POLICY INNOVATION OF BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS ON SPORTS MANAGEMENT IN TERTIARY INSTITUTIONS IN OGUN STATE

Abstract

The study investigates policy innovation of business and entrepreneurial skills on the effectiveness of sports management curricula in tertiary institutions in Ogun State, Nigeria. Given the increasing commercialization and complexity of the sports industry, entrepreneurial skills such as financial management, marketing, decision-making, and innovation have become essential for sports managers. This study utilizes a descriptive survey research design, with data collected from 48 sports management professionals in tertiary institutions. Findings revealed that there is a strong positive relationship between entrepreneurial skills and business education principles in sports management, highlighting their significance in enhancing career success and business opportunities within the sports industry. The regression analysis indicates that policy innovation in entrepreneurial education significantly influences the effectiveness of sports management curricula, with an R-square value of 0.883, confirming that 88.3% of the variation in curriculum effectiveness is explained by policy-driven entrepreneurial initiatives. The study concluded that integrating entrepreneurial skills into sports management curricula is crucial for preparing graduates to succeed in the competitive sports industry. It recommended the inclusion of entrepreneurship training in academic programs, policy support for business-oriented sports education, capacity building for educators, financial support for sports entrepreneurs, and the incorporation of digital and technological innovations in sports management education will enhance the employability of graduates and contribute to the overall development of the sports sector.