•As Biennial Games Begin
By SUNNY EGEDE
President Bola Tinubu and Governor Sheriff Oborevwori yesterday reaffirmed strong institutional and governmental backing for the Nigeria Police Force as the 15th Biennial Police Games (BIPOGA 2026) hosted by Delta State were formally declared opened in Asaba.
Tinubu, represented by the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (rtd), described the Games as a strategic platform for building a professional, disciplined and performance-driven Police Force, stressing that security remains the bedrock of Nigeria’s economic growth, social stability and national confidence.
Tinubu noted that sports go beyond recreation, calling them a strategic instrument for cohesion, stability and institutional readiness. He added that the Police Games, rooted in a tradition dating back to the 1940s, have consistently promoted fitness, teamwork and community engagement while reinforcing operational preparedness across the Force.
Declaring the Games open, Tinubu urged athletes to compete with honour and sportsmanship, saying, “Let fairness, discipline and mutual respect guide your conduct on and off the field. This is not a do-or-die affair.”
Earlier in his welcome address, Governor Oborevwori assured participants from across the federation of a memorable sporting fiesta in a state widely recognised as a hub of sporting excellence.
Oborevwori said, “Delta State is proud to host this prestigious national event. Our track record in hosting major competitions speaks for itself. In recent years, this very venue has hosted the 21st African Senior Athletics Championships in 2018, the National Sports Festival, and the National Youth Games in 2023, all held consecutively within the last few years. Even this year, Delta State continues to play host to major sporting events”.
The governor highlighted improved security in Delta, attributing the calm to effective collaboration among security agencies, and praised the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force for its professionalism.
He reminded athletes that the Games celebrate strength, discipline, teamwork and excellence, adding that “not everyone will return home with a medal, but no one who gives their best is a loser”. The governor also recalled the Force’s legacy of producing world-class athletes, including Chioma Ajunwa, Nigeria’s first Olympic gold medallist, and challenged participants to break new records and lift Nigeria’s sporting profile.
The Chief host and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in his remarks, described the Biennial Police Games as a critical pillar for strengthening professionalism, unity and operational readiness within the Nigeria Police Force.
Commending Delta State for hosting the Games, he described Asaba as “a centre of organisation, hospitality and s-porting excellence,” and praised the collaboration between the Police Force and the state government in promoting youth development and national unity.
