More than 4000 athletes are expected to participate at the 14th biennial Police Games tagged ‘Oluyole 2024’, which begins on Friday and ends March 2 at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Games will feature football, basketball, boxing, mixed martial arts, swimming, tennis, table tennis, badminton, wrestling, among other sports.
According to the Inspector-General of Police, Olukayode Egbetokun, the aim of the competition is to discover talents for the country and also for the fitness of their personnel.
Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, who spoke on behalf of the IGP, said the theme of the competition is ‘competing for peace, unity, stability and development of Nigeria.’
He disclosed that the IGP would lead other management team to Ibadan as Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, serves as chief host during the opening ceremony.
“We know that the Nigeria Police Force has a very good history when it comes to sports development in Nigeria. For many years we’ve been at the forefront of producing and projecting talents in all sports arenas of Nigeria and beyond this country globally. The Nigeria Police Force has produced a very large number of athletes in football, wrestling and others,” Adejobi said.
“So, we are coming together to converge on Ibadan, the Oyo State capital to have the 14th biennial Police Games. We know that if you are not mentally fit, you cannot discharge your duties as a police officer or as a security agent. Our intention is to make sure we come together to stage these Games and to identify good talents again that will support the Nigerian government in producing good hands and good brains that will develop our sports in Nigeria.”
In her remarks, the Oyo State Sports Commissioner, Wasilat Adegoke, said everything was in place to make the sports fiesta a memorable one.
Also, Chief Press Secretary to the Oyo State Governor, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, noted that the state was glad to have the IGP and other police officers and men in Oyo State for the Games.
Credit: punchng.com
