By Gabriel Elozino
In a bid to foster positive engagement among youths and strengthen community relations, the Area Commander of Ughelli Area Command, Delta State, ACP Adebayo Ademola, has organized a sports competition involving 14 kingdoms under his jurisdiction.
The event, which will span four weeks, aims to provide an alternative to crime while nurturing young talents in the region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, which took place at the Ughelli General Field, Saturday, ACP Ademola highlighted that the initiative was in line with the directive of the Inspector General of Police and the Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Olufemi Abaniwanda, who encourages physical activities as part of community policing efforts.
He noted that regular sports sessions are already a tradition at the police headquarters and that this competition is an extension of that policy.
While underscoring the importance of police officers engaging with the public beyond law enforcement duties, ACP Aademola said, “We discovered that the only time people get to know the police is through arrests, detentions, or prosecutions. It should not be like that. We should also come down and play with our people. Without the public, we cannot achieve anything.”
He further explained that bringing youths together through sports fosters friendships, unity, and positive social interactions, reducing the likelihood of criminal activities.
“Rather than seeing the police as an institution of force alone, we want the public to know we are also human, and we can share moments of joy, competition, and camaraderie,” he said.
On discovering talents, he said, “Nigeria is a country full of talent, and from what I have seen today, we are yet to fully tap into our raw talents. The first match was highly competitive, and in the third match, we saw incredible energy and technical skills. The game could have gone either way until the very last minute. I believe that scouts should take an interest in the players we have seen here today.”
The Area Commander expressed optimism that the tournament would not only provide entertainment but also serve as a platform for identifying and nurturing young sports talents. He encouraged more participation from the communities and reiterated that the police are committed to supporting youth development initiatives.
The opening day of the tournament witnessed thrilling encounters, which saw Olomu Kingdom beat Ughwerun Kingdom 1:0 while Ogor Kingdom defeat Agbarho Kingdom 3:1 in the opening fixtures.
Although logistical issues prevented one of the matches from taking place. Despite this setback, the level of talent on display impressed the organizers and spectators alike.
The competition, which covers Ughelli North, Ughelli South, and Ethiope East, will continue over the next four weeks, with more exciting matchups expected as teams battle for supremacy.
The Ughelli police sports initiative is being hailed as a model for community policing, as it demonstrates a proactive approach to crime prevention. By engaging young people in constructive activities, the police aim to build trust and collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.