Abstract

Digital transformation is reshaping sports administration globally, yet adoption patterns remain uneven across subnational contexts. This study examined the impact of technology and digitalization on sports administration in Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria, with specific focus on adoption levels, barriers, and perceived impacts. A descriptive survey design was employed, and data were collected through a structured questionnaire administered to 218 respondents, of which 197 valid responses were analyzed. The instrument covered adoption of digital platforms (scheduling, athlete data management, facility booking, and performance monitoring), barriers to digitalization (skills, cost, infrastructure, policy, resistance), and perceived impacts on efficiency, facility utilization, and athlete development. Responses were rated on a four-point Likert scale, and data were analyzed using frequency counts, percentages, means, and standard deviations. Findings showed a moderate level of digital adoption (grand mean = 2.86), with digital communication tools most widely utilized while athlete data and facility management systems remained underused. Barriers were found to be high (grand mean = 3.20), with cost, poor internet connectivity, and lack of digital skills as major constraints, while resistance to change was least significant. Perceived impacts were strongly positive (grand mean = 3.25), particularly in communication, efficiency, and performance monitoring. The study concludes that sports administration in Akwa Ibom is at a transitional stage of digitalization, requiring targeted investments, policy support, and capacity building to maximize the benefits of technology.