By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

With 24 hours to the kick-off of the 12th Nigerian Police Games, teams from the 12 Zonal Commands and the Force Headquarters have arrived Awka, Anambra State capital.

Speaking at Ekwueme Square, venue for the opening ceremony of the biennial games tomorrow, Saturday, February 29, 2020, the Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, said that the teams and athletes were battle-ready.

He said that all the Games officials, as well as scouts lined up to spot budding and exceptional talents during the Games, had also arrived.

Mba said: “We have about 3,000 athletes already, all from the 12 zones and the Force Headquarters which is competing as a zone. They are all represented in the ongoing parade rehearsal.

“We also have all the officials and technical people, including non-police officials.

“These non-police officials are the professionals from the various national sports federations as well as those for the talent hunt, led by a great sports ambassador, Mary Onyali, who is a daughter of Anambra.

“So, as it is now, we are satisfied with the level of readiness of the facilities for the various events in spite of the fact that some of them are undergoing finishing touches.”

While promising that the games will be a successful and memorable one, the Force PPRO expressed hope that the facilities would be ready for their events, even as he noted that there were ready alternatives for use if the ones still under construction were not ready.

He added: “We are good to go. Overall, 90 per cent of the facilities are ready. Even at the biggest stage of world’s sports, be it Olympics, football World Cup or cricket World Cup, provided it is a massive sports event, you keep putting finishing touches even when the competition is ongoing.”

Mba, who is also a Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), acknowledged that there were some events whose facilities were still being prepared but assured that they would be ready soon.

He added: “We are very hopeful that all of them will be put to use by Monday. The good thing is that all the events are not starting on the same day.

“We also have Option B for some of the facilities that are being tidied up in case they don’t meet up.

“But, overall, we are happy with the people of Anambra State and The State Government. The atmosphere is fantastic, reception massive, hospitality overwhelming and the warmness of the people very motivating.”