An Analysis of The Challenges Affecting Motivation Among Malaysia Women’s Futsal Players
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37134/jsspj.vol14.2.7.2025Keywords:
Perceiveness, Discrimintaion, Personal Factor, Challenges, Women Futsal ParticipationAbstract
This study investigates the factors influencing motivation among Malaysia’s women’s futsal players, focusing on perceiveness, discrimination, and personal factors. Despite the growing popularity of futsal in Malaysia, women’s participation remains overshadowed by the men’s game, receiving limited media attention, financial support, and organizational backing. A total of 76 players from various teams participated, selected through stratified random sampling to ensure representation across playing positions, experience levels, and sponsorship status. Data were collected using a structured online questionnaire, and responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Pearson correlation to examine the relationships between motivational factors. Results reveal that external challenges, including lack of recognition and support, significantly affect motivation, with the highest mean scores observed for perceiveness (M = 6.01) and discrimination (M = 5.83). Personal factors, such as mental health, financial pressures, and balancing academic or work responsibilities, also influenced motivation, though to a lesser extent (M = 5.42). Moderate correlations between perceiveness (r = .628, p < .05) and discrimination (r = .606, p < .05) suggest that social perceptions and experiences of unfair treatment meaningfully impact engagement, while personal factors showed a lower correlation (r = .321, p < .05). The findings underscore the critical role of supportive and equitable environments in sustaining motivation, enhancing performance, and promoting long-term participation. This study contributes to understanding the complex interplay of social, structural, and personal factors affecting women’s futsal players in Malaysia and provides practical insights for sports organizations, coaches, and policymakers to implement strategies that foster motivation, equity, and sustainable development in women’s futsal
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