Talent Management Processes as Predictors of Long-Term Athlete Development in Sports Organizations in Burundi

Abstract

Background. Managing talent involves all the key elements of human resource management. It is evident to overemphasize the role played by sports administrators, coaches, and trainers in an effective long-term development program of athletes in sports organizations in Burundi. The need is high to implement the management program to mitigate the issues that hamper the development of sportsmen. Objectives. The objective of the study is to determine the talent management processes as predictors of long-term athlete development in sports organizations in Burundi. The specific objectives were formulated from five variables, namely: strategic planning, talent acquisition, and retention, performance management, career development, as well as compensation, and motivation. Methods. The sample size consists of 200 male and female respondents, comprising 80 sports administrators, coaches, and trainers, and 120 athletes from Sports Federations in Burundi. These respondents were active sports administrators and athletes in national and international competitions. A descriptive study design was used while validated questionnaires designed in line with a five-point Likert scale were used for data collection and analysis. Results. The results indicated that all five hypotheses were significant (p<0.05). The processes of talent management were perceived to contribute to the long-term athlete development program in Burundi. Conclusion. The government should provide public sports facilities for youth use. Sports federations are encouraged to prioritize investments in qualified sports personnel, as well as the development of youth training centers and sports academies.