Ghana Police misses out, as Nigeria debuts at World Police Games

The Ghana Police Service will not be able to represent the country at the 2013 Biennial World Police and Fire Games scheduled to take place in Belfast, Northern Ireland whiles their Nigeria Police Force is to make its first appearance.

Nigeria's Force Spokesperson, Frank Mba, confirmed this on Wednesday that a 34-man contingent, made up of 28 athletes and six officials, led by the Force Planning Committee Chairman, CP Abimbola Macaulay, departed the Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos, on Tuesday for Belfast.

“The Nigeria Police contingent arrived in Belfast on Wednesday ahead of the tournament starting on August 1st through 10th” Mba said in a statement.

The biennial World Police and Fire Games is an athletic competition open to police agencies throughout the world.

Athletes from 70 countries are expected at the 2013 Belfast Games and are expected to compete in 66 sporting events, including athletics, football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, combat sports like wrestling, judo and taekwondo.

“The Nigeria Police contingent will feature in eight events, namely -- athletics, badminton, boxing, cycling, golf, judo, table-tennis and taekwondo,” said Mba.

In his goodwill message to the contingent, according to Mba’s press statement, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mohammed Abubakar, charged them to be good ambassadors of not just the Nigeria Police, 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 caught doping will be dealt with accordingly.

The IGP reminded the contingent that the 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 and assured the athletes of a befitting welfare package during the Games. He also promised to reward those who win medals for the force and the country.

The contingent is expected back in the country on August 14