Sports is one of the activities that bring people from all walks of life, women, children, and men alike, either young or old. Among the sports that has the most number of spectators are football, basketball, athletics, and rugby. However, the success of sports involves some form of sport management that comprises of men and women. Personnel in the sports management field share specific common goals, such as encouraging companies, both private and governmental, to use sports as a means of creating partnerships, develop the health sectors, promote gender equality, and conflict resolution. However, there are fewer women in the sport management fraternity. The research question that will form the basis of our research is, why do we have fewer women in sports management? The lack of female representatives in the sports management field is alarming, especially in the female-dominated sports. Thus, sport management involves various functions and duties that will incorporate strategies to involve more women and also promote the same in different institutions.
Background Information
The representation of women stands at 20 percent target on sports board with every boardroom having a minimum of 3 women in the International Olympic Committee as stipulated by the Brighton Declaration is an example too (Lyons, Evanthia, and Coyle, p.202). In the US, Title IX enshrines equal opportunities, and even though inequity is still rampant, it has had a significant effect on the rates of participation and representation in the institutions of education (Adriiannse and Schofield, p.485). Also, quotas may affect relations of gender both in production terms and concerning power. The problem of the lack of women in sports management is a concern. We live in an era whereby women have been empowered like the men and thus stand an equal chance of leadership. Several women have been tried and tested in various leadership positions and have been proved to be more competent than the male folks. Thus, it is saddening that major federations in the world like soccer, basketball, and rugby, the leadership are male-dominated federations. There is a need to bridge the gap between men and women in sports management through the active engagement of women in the sports federations.
However, the problem of poor representation of women in sport management can be remedied through a change in organizational culture, gender stereotyping, and leadership structures. A culture that values gender equity in its leadership system always has positive results for men and women with such an organization (Valiente, p.86). Such include more definite intention and commitment of the organization, unlike policies of gender equity. Then we need to have board members consisting of women adopt masculine behavior and avoid showcasing the feminine behaviors, specifically when women see themselves as bord members token.
Conclusion
In summation, Sports management is critical for any society that intends to keep its young section active and engaged. The lack of enough women in leadership positions is due to male chauvinism and the societal perspective of sports. The research is critical since it will help in addressing the issue of gender discrimination that is rampant in certain parts world. Sports is one of the most rewarding engagements in the world, and having women in top leadership is one of the ways of solving the problems that have rocked the sector for years.