The Commissioner of Police in charge of Sports, CP Aliu Abubakar, on Thursday restated the commitment of the force towards the development of its personnel in sports through training.
Abubakar made the assertion in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the 25th anniversary and the 7th convocation of the Nigeria Institute of Sports (NIS), at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Nigerian Police had over 30 of its personnel graduated from the NIS on Thursday.
He said that the police buoyed by its past successes in sports, would continue to sponsor its men in the sports advancement through trainings and development.
“The Nigerian Police as a body have contributed immensely to sports in the past, and the records are there for everybody to see. Some of our men in the past had won honours for the country.
“We have our personnel such as Chioma Ajunwa and some other boxers who have achieved great feats in sports, including a footballer, Julius Aghahowa.
“This has spurred us to continue to develop our personnel in sports in order to contribute our quota not only in security, but also in the development of sports in our country.
“Most of our men are astute in sports and we can see them all over the sports they represent that they are doing well; this is an encouragement to us.
“Aside this, some of our men in this institution are also outstanding with various awards they received after their training here. This is because our men are disciplined,” he said.
Abubakar said that engagement of the police personnel in sports would not affect their primary assignment as security personnel.
“The engagement of our people in sports has not in any way affected their primary duty as security officers, it has only complimented it because they are more fit physically.
“Nigeria Police has its own schedule and all our men have their posts, so their involvement in sports will not affect their primary duty but complement.
“We are proud of what our sportsmen are doing because they are our ambassadors, representing us well in sports and other endeavours.
“Sports is a tool for the development of the mind and body, so we will continue to support our men through training in great institutions like this for the advancement of sports in Nigeria,” he said
