The 13th Biennial Police Games, BIPOGA 2022, ended in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State on Wednesday with Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba asserting that it has given the force an opportunity to uncover emerging sporting talents and stars for the global sporting stage.
Speaking at the grand-finale of the week-long events held at Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, IGP Baba expressed satisfaction that the newly discovered talents at the games were mainly police constables and newly recruited to the Force.
The IGP also said the games would not only serve as internal security management tool that will unite and improve comradeship among the agencies but would bring police closer to the people as well as ensuring physical, mental and emotional alertness of the officers.
Also read: 6000 athletes set aglow 13th Biennial Police Games 2022 in Uyo
He added that the officers leveraged on the games to change policing dynamics and to be equipped in facing the challenges associated with guaranteeing safe atmosphere before, during and after the upcoming general elections in 2023.
“The Biennial Police Games tagged BIPOGA 2022 was aimed at providing a distinctive opportunity to maintain the mental alertness and physical fitness of officers, strengthen the bond of espirit de corps amongst security agents, and identify sporting talents most of whom will emerge as stars in the global sporting stage.
“The game which was highly competitive and entertaining made a great impact. More elated that the newly discovered talents were mainly police constables who are newly recruited to the force.
“Secondly, the game is an internal security management tool as we prepare to face the challenges associated with the guaranteeing of safe space before, during and after 2023 general elections,” the IGP stated.
He, however thanked Akwa Ibom State governor, Mr Udom Emmanuel for hosting the games in his state and the people for their hospitality, saying that the state had proven that it is not just the land of promise but a land of discovering of promising talents.
Also speaking, the deputy governor of the state, Moses Ekpo, who represented Governor Udom Emmanuel said the games, have fostered a healthy spirit of competition among the athletes, as well as built a team spirit and esprit-de-Corps among the officers and men of the Force.
In his remarks, Chairman/Sole Administrator of the Force Sport Planning Committee, AIG Hafiz Inuwa, expressed hope that the 13th Biennial Police games “Uyo 2022” in many years to come will be remembered as a reference point not just in the history of the Nigeria Police Force Sports, but for the State and the Country at large.
He said the theme of this year’s Games, ‘Promoting Sporting Excellence towards Ensuring Fitness for Operational Exigencies and Combat Readiness,’ was well thought out.
At the end of the event, Force Headquarters won first position after garnering 222 medals; Zone 2 took second position after getting 220 medals while Zone 11 occupied third position after packing 124 medals. See BIPOGA 2022 Medals Table below:
Winners of outdoor sporting activities
(1) 1000m (Relay) — Kefas Williams won Gold with 12.5 seconds breaking the National record
(2) 1500m (Relay) FHQ won Gold
(3) 100x200m (Women relay)- Esther Sunday of Zone 6 won Gold
(4) 4x400m (Women relay) – FHQ won Gold
(5) 4x100m (Women relay) – FHQ won Gold
(6) 4x400m (Men relay) — FHQ won Gold
(7) Tug-of-war – Federal Fire Service won Gold while Nigeria Immigration Service got Silver
(8) Tug-of-war – Zone 14 won Gold while Force Headquarters got Silver
Winner of Star prize Renault Kwid emerges
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) held Raffle draw on Wednesday, November 30th, 2022 star prize – a Renault Kwid during the closing of the 13th Biennial Police Games (BIPOGA 2022).
Our correspondent reports that Inspector Mustapha of zone 12, Bauchi/Gombe won the star prize of a brand new sports car .
The Renault Kwid, launched in 2015, is a crossover city car initially intended for the Indian market. Inside, it has an 8-inch infotainment system, Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, Reverse Camera, Electric windows and Air Conditioning.
Safety features includes Airbag – Driver & Front Passenger, ABS + EBD, Rear Park Distance Sensors, Reverse Parking Camera, High mounted stop lamp, High Safety Pro-Sense Front Seat Belts, and Seat Belt Reminder.
Powering the Renault Kwid is a 1.0-litre petrol engine (999 cc engine) that gives 50 kW (67 horsepower) of power and 91 N⋅m (67 lb⋅ft) of peak torque.
This year’s 13th Biennial Police Games from 23rd – 30th November 2022 was declared open last week by President Muhammadu Buhari, who was represented by the Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Mohammed.
The closing ceremony featured march past by all the police Zones, participation in games by different paramilitary organisations in Akwa Ibom, performance by Akwa Ibom Council of Arts and Culture and body building exercise.
The week-long sporting event saw more than 4,500 male and female police athletes drawn from the 17 Zonal Commands and the Force Headquarters competed in several indoor and outdoor sporting activities at the Godswill Akpabio International Stadium, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Speaking with our correspondent, Akwa Ibom Police and Public Relations Officer, SP Odiko MacDon thanked God for the successful hosting of the event and Akwa Ibom governor for the support and cooperation before and during the games.
Also a member of the BIPOGA 2022 Local Organising Committee, Media and Publicity, MacDon also thanked IGP Baba, the AIGs and police Commissioners particularly Akwa Ibom for their effective participation and support given for the successful hosting of the event.
A total of 30 sporting activities were featured during the competition.
