Comparative Analysis Of Sports Development In Public And Private Sector Universities Of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan): Mediation Role Of Financial Resources

Abstract

This study provides a comparative analysis of sports development in public and private sector universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, emphasizing the mediating role of financial resources. Data were gathered from 358 student-athletes and sports directors representing 34 public and private universities through a structured questionnaire. The findings revealed that financial resources significantly impact sports development in both public and private universities (p = .000), with public universities benefiting more. Public universities had higher mean scores for financial resources (3.1348) and sports development (3.9052), compared to private universities (3.0955 for financial resources and 2.8554 for sports development). The mediation analysis showed that financial resources significantly mediate the relationship between sports development and the nature of universities (Coeff = 0.6401, p = .000), reducing the direct effect of sports development (Indirect Effect = -0.3141, Boot CI [-.386, -.253]). These findings highlight the critical importance of financial resources in enhancing sports development, especially in public universities, and demonstrate the mediating role of financial resources in university sports programs.