ABUJA – The Zone 2 command of the Nigeria Police Force have won the 11th biennial Police Games tagged “Abuja 2016’’ after emerging as overall winner of the 28 events that featured at the event.
Zone 2 garnered a total of 231 medals to dethrone Force Headquarters (FHQ) who finished the Games on second spot with 159 medals.
FHQ won the last edition in Port Harcourt but could not stand the current Zone 2 team made up of competitors from Lagos and Ogun.
Zone 2 had 96 gold, 77 silver and 58 bronze, while FHQ scooped 70 gold, 41 silver and 48 bronze medals.
Solomon Arase, the Inspector-General of Police (I-G) commended the 12 police zonal commands and FHQ that participated at the event.
“The event met my expectation because we have been able to allow the zones to compete under favourable circumstances.
“Those that won were happy and those that lost were happy too; everybody is a winner in this matter, so it is the spirit of camaraderie that we were able to bring together all our officers.
“I think that this year’s event was really awesome because even the retired officers were also here to celebrate with the serving officers.
“The Games is also reflective of our commitment to encouraging officers of the force to appreciate the virtues of physical and mental alertness.
“I trust that the event has thrown up new sporting talents with the potential of making an impact on the international stage,’’ Arase said.
According to the I-GP, the Games has strengthened the spirit of unity within the force on one hand and the other invited participants on the other hand.
He urged the officers and men of the force the use the opportunity provided by the Games and the spirit of sportsmanship displayed during the competition in the discharge of the responsibilities as police officers.
“This bond will undoubtedly impact intra and inter-agency confidence building needed to advance the security interest of our country,’’ he added.
Gov. Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa commended the police for hosting successful Games, noting that the police had provided some of the athletes that represented the country at international competitions.
“We will collaborate with you in sports development because the police have produced some of our international sportsmen and women.
“Therefore, we need to deliberately collaborate with the police to continue to discover more sportsmen and women that will continue
to represent the nation and win laurels for us,’’ he said.
Bukar Lawal, the House of Representatives Committee Chairman on Sports, who also spoke at the event, said the National Assembly would ensure the police continued to get the necessary assistance it deserved from government.
The final of the male football event played to mark the closing of the Games saw Zone 9 beat Zone 1 3-2 on penalties after a goalless draw at regulation time.
An invitational Tug of War event between the Army and the Navy was also on display with the Army defeating the Navy.
Zone 11 police command comprising of Oshogbo, Osun, Ondo and Oyo finished the Games as third best team with 56 gold, 44 silver and 69 bronze medals.
The Games which started on March 19 at the National Stadium Abuja, saw about 3200 competitors from the 12 police zonal commands slug it out in 28 sporting events. (NAN)