Written By: Sir Jude Emecheta

It is indeed cheering that the much talked about and highly celebrated 2020 biennial Nigeria Police games is ending in Anambra state today. It is heartening that Anambra, under the leadership of Governor Willie Obiano, has been listed in history as the first state in the southeast geopolitical zone to host the Nigeria Police games. It is splendid too that the twelfth edition of the biennial games broke so many records, trumped up new champions,  stars, queens and kings of the track as well as featured so many games, both old and new. Furthermore, the Anambra 2020 games has been rated the best since the inception of the games.

The theme: Promoting Community Safety Through Sports, epitomizes the successes recorded in the games, which attracted men and officers from all the 12 police zones and the Force headquarters. It points significantly to a renewed vigour to sustain and improve the security of the state through a tech-driven and strategic-community-based policing with sports as a harmonious catalyst.

The peaceful, cheerful, hospitable, welcoming and industrial nature of Ndi Anambra during the games was evidently depicted in the communal mantra of ‘onye aghana nwanne ya’. It indeed captured succinctly the zeal and collective readiness of the government and Ndi Anambra to host fellow Nigerians to the colourful, peaceful, rewarding, delightful and entertaining games.

What is more, the sporting fiesta has repositioned Anambra state – the gateway to the east and Light of the Nation, for greater achievements in sports. Just last Wednesday, five days into the games, Governor Obiano received the Nigeria Unity Torch, ahead of the upcoming National Sports Festival, which will take place at Edo state later in the year. Interestingly, Anambra will, for the first time, be participating in all the games in the National Sports festival, courtesy of the youth friendly and sports loving Governor, Sir Willie.

Suffice it to say that the Police Games created opportunities for social and economic advancements. And experts are of the view that the socio-economic benefits of the tournament are unquantifiable; billions of naira raked into the pockets of people. For instance, most hotels in Anambra were filled to capacity during the period. Visits to all the sporting centres scattered across the state indicate business boom for traders, hawkers and shop owners. Markets in the state equally boomed as visitors used the opportunity to do quick shopping. There were beehive of activities in many joints and eateries. Above all, Anambra has been leaping in boundless sporting spirit throughout the period.

No doubt, the decision of the Police High Command to select Anambra State for the historic games clearly underscored the general belief and acknowledgement that Anambra State, under the dynamic Governor Willie Obiano, is obviously the safest State in Nigeria as exemplified by the 21st century state of the arts security architecture now in place in the State.

The 12th Police games is therefore a reaffirmation of the fact that Anambra is the safest State that currently enjoys relative peace and absolute tranquility occasioned by the adequate security network operating across the State. The Police hierarchy must therefore be commended for its due recognition of Anambra as one of the safest States in the country and which had informed its wise choice of the State for the historic event. From all indications, it is obvious that Ndi Anambra are very happy and proud for the rare honour done to them by the Police High Command.

 Kudos must, however, go to Governor Willie Obiano for his foresight and proactive disposition in attracting the maiden hosting of the games, twenty-nine years after the creation of Anambra state. Akpokuedike should be commended for having the political will to host the games, which has forged strong spirit of cooperation and collaboration between the state and the Nigerian police force as well as other security agencies.

The quality of facilities put in place for the Games is equally superb. Sports administrators in the state should therefore ensure proper maintenance of the facilities to help train sports talents in the state after the games. The organizers, officials and participants must also be commended for their sportsmanship and for using the Police games as a veritable instrument for the promotion of healthy body and mind. No doubt, the sports extravaganza removed their minds from their daily highly tasking and hazardous duties. They enjoyed more relaxed and convivial atmosphere in Anambra state.

Indeed, it gave an opportunity to promote cultural affinity among members of the Nigerian Police Force and Nigerians in general. Participants, who came from different cultural background used the games to interact with one other to appreciate the strength in cultural diversity.

We thank you all for, at least, allowing Ndi Anambra to spoil you a bit with our delicacies, hospitality and sense of brotherliness. We bid you all farewell and wish you safe trip back home. Daalunu.

No related posts.