10TH BIENNIAL POLICE GAMES: FG COMMITTED TO SPORTS DEVELOPMENT - JONATHAN

By CHRIS ANUCHA and TONY JOHN, Port Harcourt
President Goodluck Jonathan said the Federal Government will always provide the necessary support required for the development of sports in the country. He made the remark yesterday at the Liberation Stadium, Port Harcourt, Rivers State during the opening ceremony of the 10th biennial Police Games taking place at the Treasure Base of the country.

The President, who was represented on the occasion by the Minister of Sports and Chairman, Nigerian Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, recalled the achievements of Nigeria Police in sports, adding that the Force had produced people who did Nigeria proud both in local and international sporting events.

The President expressed hope that the 10th biennial Police Games would produce excellent sporting talents who have potentialities of becoming world champions. 'It is my belief that the 10th biennial Police Games would be a huge success and would lead to the production of new athletes capable of representing Nigeria and sporting talents who have potentialities of becoming world beaters,' he said.

The President also commended the efforts of the Nigeria Police and other security agencies in combating crime and other security challenges in the country. Earlier in his welcome address, Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Mohammed Abubakar, described Police Games as veritable breeding sports fiesta for nurturing future national and international heroes. He thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for approving to play host to the event. He also recalled, with nostalgia, how the Police Games in the time past, nurtured and moulded people as Chioma Ajunwa, Samuel Peters, Sunday BadaN among others.

He commended the Rivers State Governor, Chibuike Amaechi, and his colleagues as well as corporate organisations and individuals who identified with the police in hosting the games. The IG urged the participants to do their best in their respective areas, bearing in mind that as in the Olympics, the joy is actually in participation.

While appealing to them to be magnanimous in victory, and courageous in defeat, he charged the officials to be firm, but fair, as their actions and inactions can make or mar a sporting fiesta as Police Games.