Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part C (2025)

This study explored the relationship between mindfulness, sports anxiety, and perceived athletic performance among competitive Indian footballers. A sample of 158 players (83 females, 75 males) from the Delhi-NCR region completed the Mindfulness Inventory for Sport (MIS), the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS-2), and a self-rated Performance Satisfaction Scale. Results indicated that higher mindfulness, particularly awareness and refocusing was associated with lower somatic and cognitive anxiety and with greater performance satisfaction. Gender comparisons revealed that while mindfulness did not differ substantially, female players reported higher anxiety, whereas male players displayed slightly greater performance satisfaction. Findings emphasize the utility of mindfulness-based psychological training for footballers to mitigate competitive anxiety and enhance focus and well-being.