Nigeria Police makes first appearance in World Police Games

The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, on Wednesday said it was set to make its debut in the 2013 edition of the Biennial World Peace Fire Games in Belfast, North Ireland.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, a 34-man contingent of 28 athletes and six officials, led by the Force Planning Committee Chairman, Abimbola Macaulay, departed the Murtala Mohammed International Air Port, Lagos on Thursday for Belfast.

The tournament, which will hold from August 1 to 10, will be open to police agencies throughout the world. Athletes from 70 countries are expected to compete in 66 sporting events which include athletics, football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, martial arts like wrestling, judo and taekwondo.

The Nigeria Police contingent would take part in eight events: athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, golf, judo, table-tennis and taekwondo.

The Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, in his goodwill message to the contingent, charged them to be good ambassadors of not just the Force, but the entire nation.

He enjoined them to conduct themselves creditably throughout their stay in Belfast and further warned them to distance themselves from drugs as any athlete cut doping will be dealt with accordingly.

He also reminded the contingent that Nigeria Police athletes are not strangers to international sporting events as some of them have represented Nigeria and made the country proud in similar games like the Commonwealth Games, the All Africa Games and even the Olympics. He challenged them to improve on the record of their predecessors by winning more laurels. The police boss also assured the athletes of a befitting welfare package during the Games, adding that impressive rewards would await those who would win medals for the Force and the country.

The contingent is expected back in the country on August 14.