The 13th Biennial Police Games Uyo, 2022, Wednesday, kicked off at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo with more than 6,000 police officers competing for various prizes.
The theme of the sporting fiesta is Promoting Sporting Excellence Towards Ensuring Fitness for Operational Exigencies and Combat Readiness.
President Muhammadu Buhari, while declaring open the event, described the Nigeria Police Games as most prestigious sporting event which promotes sports talents and builds a bridge of partnership among police officers and the community.
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Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Police Affairs, Muhammad Dingyadi, acknowledged that the Police Games over the years has produced sports icons who have made the nation proud at global events.
The special guest of honour commended Governor Udom Emmanuel for hosting the 13th Biennial Police Games, and called on other states to replicate the collaboration between Akwa Ibom State Government and the Nigeria Police.
“Nigeria Police Force has undoubtedly demonstrated throughout its history its track record of producing sports icons who have made our nation proud in global arena.”
Speaking too, Akwa Ibom Governor Udom Emmanuel expressed gratitude to the hierarchy of Police for choosing Akwa State to host the games, describing it as a partnership of excellence and harvest of talents in sports.
The chief host of the event noted that his administration has given priority to sports development.
“Let me place on record our gratitude for the opportunity to host this event. We also wish to commend the Nigeria Police Force and indeed all other security agencies for working collaboratively with us to ensure the peace we enjoy in this state and upsurge in tourism and investments that come with it.”
‘‘Here in Akwa Ibom State, we have given the issue of sports development the attention and resources it deserves.
‘‘Since we came into office, our own football club has won Aiteo Cup, Nigerian Professional Football League Trophy, and the Nigerian Federation Cup, among others.”
The governor, however, commiserated with the families of police officers who lost their lives on their way to the games in Uyo.
The Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Usman Alkali Baba, clarifying that the vision of hosting the Nigeria 13th Biennial Police Games in Uyo, was conceived upon the experience of the Force’s hierarchy during the Strategic Police Officers Conference held in the state earlier this year.
IGP Baba said the Biennial Police Games was a unique component of the Nigeria Police has produced for Nigeria, sporting stars that eventually rise to global fame.
He expressed confidence that the 13th series being held in Uyo, will further the historic tradition, promising Akwa Ibom people and the spectators an enjoyable sporting fiesta.
Uyo Sports Stadium is one of the arenas where athletes will participate in various sporting events.
Already, an Olympic-size swimming pool and other indoor games facilities in the stadium are ready.
The swimming pool has dimensions of 25 metres by 50 meters in area, 2 meters in depth, with a 1,500-spectator capacity in a well-covered sitting area.
Cricket introduced
Cricket is officially introduced as a scoring game as the game as confirmed by the host Police Command spokesperson, Odiko MacDon.
“We are participating in Cricket as a game. It is one out of the two new games introduced into the 13th Biennial Nigeria Police Games holding in Uyo,” Police Public Relations Officer, Akwa Ibom State command, MacDon said.
Cricket has recently been recognised as the fastest growing sports in the country. Its inclusion in the Police Games marks another milestone achievement for the Nigerian Cricket Federation (NCF), headed by Uyi Akpata.
The NCF had since dispatched her Technical Director, Joseph Eshua to guide organizers in the games rudimentary success.
Meanwhile, the NCF Technical Director, Eshua has confirmed that Nine Zonal commands have indicated presence in the Male category while four commands registered their female cricket teams. The cricket game format will be Six- aside.
As at Monday afternoon, Eshua visited venues in Uyo to give assistance as the participating police team conducted training at Cornelia Connelly College, Uyo.
