The Nigeria Police on Wednesday said it would recruit scores of skilled sportsmen and women into the force.
The Force Public Relations Office, Frank Mba, stated this at a press conference in Awka, the Anambra State capital to herald the National Police Games festival due to commence in the state on February29.
Going into memory lane, Mba said the police had nurtured great sports men and women, such as Chioma Ajunwa, Julius Aghahowa and Simon Peters, who became world-class sports personalities.
He enjoined the people of the state to come out en masses to support the 10-day sports fiesta in the state.
He said, ” The only way to quality to be recruited into the force under sports personality is for you to come out and watch us and subsequently participate in such games.
The Chairmanof Anambra State Sports Development Commission, Mr Tony Olih told journalists that the state was ready to host the games.
While stating that the competition would hold in six venues, Olih listed the venues as Ekwueme Square Awka, Rojenny Stadium Oba, Otuocha Stadium Aguleri, NYSC Orientation Camp Umuawulu/Mbaukwu and Tansi International School Okpuno.
Other venues included Golden Tulip Hotel, Agulu and Regent Hotel while Enugu and Rivers States would be used for Gulf, Polo and Shooting events.
He said a swimming pool was being constructed at Ekwueme Square where Handball ,Volleyball, Basketball, Beach Football and combat games would take place.
Oli said there would be 50 kilometer cycling and 21 kilometer marathon events during the games and that the routes had been mapped out.
Speaking, Assistant Inspector General of Police, Usman Akali, who is the chairman of the Main Organising Committee said the games would feature between 200 and 300 athletes from the 12 zonal commands in the country.
Akali said the team was satisfied with the level of preparedness for the games.
The Secretary to the Anambra Government , Prof Solo Chukwulobelu
said the games were the first to be hosted in the South East.
Chukwulobelu assured maximum cooperation of the state government for a successful hosting.
