Study of Superstitious Beliefs among Selected Racket Game Players

Superstition is ―an irrational object attitude of mind towards supernatural, nature and God‖. Superstitions are often based on unreasoning fear of the unknown forces of nature. The irrational attitude often leads to crude religious practices and misdirected rituals. The mass media and popular sports literature suggest that magical practices are quite prevalent in high intensity sports. It is clear that many team ritual and ceremonies unite the team members in a manner analogous to religious rites that promote cohesion among the believers, for example, team players, communal meals, a common hotel on the road, team practice, and attendance at a movie the night before contest, and common street clothes worn to and from a contest. As we know, there is a lack of researches in racket games for assessing the behaviour and attitude of racket game players, a definite and appropriate study is essential. A Study of Superstitious Beliefs among Selected Racket Game Players serves this purpose in a meaningful way. Therefore, observing the felt requirement, we consider it necessary to attempt ―A Study of Superstitious Beliefs among Selected Racket Game Players‖.

This Study of Superstitious Beliefs among Selected Racket Game Players was used to assess the behaviour and attitude of sports persons. For this purpose of examine the prevalence of superstitious beliefs among players of racket games, 45 male players of inter-university and state level tournament were randomly selected to serve as subjects. The selected racket games were Table-Tennis, Badminton, and Tennis.

and Maxwell K. Zaugg on seven areas containing forty items. On the basis of original scale, a new scale was constructed by consulting various aspects of psychology and sociology. The questionnaire was administered individually to all the subjects. All the subjects had answered the questionnaire separately, without consulting others. To analysis the data, collected by administering the questionnaire to all the subjects in different inter-university competitions and state tournaments, Descriptive Statistics was used for each selected characteristics and the responses of the questionnaire were also analysed in Percentage and compared among racket games.

The responses of the subjects regarding the Superstitious Beliefs about Appearance and Clothing are presented in Pie # 1: Pie # 1 The pie # 1 indicates that 27.13% of players of selected Racket Games most often believe on Superstition with respect to Appearance and Clothing. The responses of the subjects regarding the Superstitious Beliefs before the Competition are cited below: Pie # 2 According to Pie # 2, 25.64% of players of different Racket Games never believe on statements concerned with Superstitious Beliefs before the Competition, whereas 22% of players most often supported these statements. below: Pie # 3 The Pie # 3 depicts that 26.30% of players of different racket games have responded to most often categories of responses against the statements about Superstitious Beliefs prior to the Match. The responses of the subjects regarding the Superstitious Beliefs during the Match are presented below in Pie # 4: Pie # 4 With respect to the statements regarding Superstitious Belief during the match was been considered most often by 27.67% of players of Selected Racket Games. The responses of the subjects regarding the Religious Superstitious Beliefs are presented in Pie # 5: Pie # 5

selected Racket Games most often have Religious Superstitious beliefs. The responses of the subjects regarding the Miscellaneous Superstitious Beliefs are presented in Pie # 6:

Pie # 6 shows that 23.55% of players of different racket games have responded by ticking the most often as well as often category with respect to Miscellaneous Superstitious Beliefs. The responses of the subjects regarding the all statements of Superstitious Beliefs with respect to different categories are presented in Pie # 7:

These findings revealed that the superstitious beliefs are most common among the players of selected racket games. There was a prevalence of superstitious beliefs among selected racket game players since the responses have showed significant results.

DISCUSSION

The prevalence of superstitious beliefs was believed to be because of myths, social customs and traditions and to some extent to supernatural powers among them strength to perform well. Indian culture with various traditions also helps to add to superstitious beliefs which are common among the population since the time immemorial and also generously reflect in the behaviour of players of racket games.

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ITTF International Umpire, Physical Education Teacher, Indian School, Muscat, Oman