Journal of Tourism, Hospitality and Sports www.iiste.org ISSN (Paper) 2312-5187 ISSN (Online) 2312-5179 An International Peer-reviewed Journal Vol.9, 2015 14 Interpersonal Relationships among Ethiopia Water Sport Association Basketball Team Theodros Berhanu Research Scholar, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India Email: thedrosb@gmail.com Dr. R.C.Reddy Senior Faculty (MPED & Research Programme), Department of Physical Education, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, India Email: drrcreddy@gmail.com Abstract The purpose of this paper is to investigate the interpersonal relationships among the coach, players, and management of the Ethiopia Water Sport Association basketball team. The participants in this research were consisted of fourteen (14) basketball players, one head coach of the team. The participants were selected non random sample as purposely. The major instruments in this study were questionnaire and field observation. The findings of the study related to the interpersonal relationships among players of the team indicated that, the majority of players’ responded that there is a mutual respect and were made freely communicate and take responsibilities about each other for loss or poor performance of the team. Players’, however, were encouraged by the coach to improve confidence, close and informal relationships. Specifically, players’ were found to have perceived coaches as organizers and facilitators, whom aided them to reach their optimal preparation for performance. Keywords: Interpersonal relationships, Team cohesion, Introduction An interpersonal relationship is an association between two or more people that may range from fleeting to enduring. This association may be based on love and liking, regular business interactions, or some other type of social commitment. The coach–athlete relationship is not an add-on to, or by-product of, the coaching process, nor is it based on the athlete’s performance, age or gender instead it is the foundation of coaching. The coach and the athlete intentionally develop a relationship, which is characterised by a growing appreciation and respect for each other as individuals. Overall, the coach–athlete relationship is embedded in the dynamic and complex coaching process and provides the means by which coaches’ and athletes’ needs are expressed and fulfilled (Jowett & Cockerill,2002).It is at the heart of achievement and the mastery of personal qualities such as leadership, determination, confidence and self-reliance . This article aims to offer a perspective on the coach–athlete relationship and show how sport psychology can contribute to the study of relationships whilst learning from, and building on, the work of scholars in social and relationship psychology. The nature of the coach is important to consider when examining the intricacies of the coach-athlete relationship and how coaching leader behaviors are significantly related to team outcomes (Carron & Dennis, 2001). The Ethiopia water sport basket ball team is one of the top clubs in the country which consists of 14 players in total. Among these players, 8 players are playing at national team. Consequently, the team have participated in different competitions at national and international level. For example the team has participated in 2000 East Africa clubs champion in Rwanda and also 2001 here in Addis Ababa with five East Africa clubs. The Ethiopia water sport basketball team have got medal at different competitions. From these, in 1998/2006 (winner of Ethiopia basketball clubs knock out competition, winner of Ethiopia champion in Harari town. And in 2000/2008(winner of Ethiopia champion in Jima town, winner of Nile day competition with Rwanda basketball club). This interpersonal relationship would have a great impact on the performance, self-worth, motivation and enjoyment of the members’ of the teams. This fact triggered the investigator to conduct this research which is aimed at exploring the interpersonal relationships among the Ethiopia water sport association basketball team. Objective of the Study The major objective of this study was to investigate the interpersonal relationships among the players and coach of the Ethiopia Water Sport Association basketball team. The researcher attempted to answer the following questions in the pursuit of data relative to the interpersonal relationships of among the players and coach.