The Senior Special Assistant to the President on Grassroots Sports Development, Hon. Adeyinka Anthony Adeboye, has praised the successful debut of armwrestling at the ongoing 15th Biennial Police Games (BIPOGA), describing it as a major boost for grassroots and non-traditional sports development in Nigeria.
Armwrestling made its first-ever appearance at the Police Games, with a total of 84 medals contested and won, marking a significant milestone for the sport within Nigeria’s security and sporting ecosystem. The armwrestling events concluded on Tuesday, February 18, 2026, after days of intense but well-organised competition.
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The 15th edition of BIPOGA officially kicked off on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Stephen Keshi Stadium, Asaba, and will run until February 21, 2026, featuring various sporting disciplines involving personnel of the Nigeria Police Force.
Reacting to the success of the armwrestling event, the Chairman of LOC when Nigeria hosted Africa in Armwrestling Championship, Abuja 2025 applauded the leadership of CSP Danladi Abubakar, Chairman of the Nigeria Police Armwrestling Association, for driving the inclusion of the sport and ensuring a smooth and competitive outing.
“The successful debut of armwrestling at the Police Games is a clear example of how grassroots and emerging sports can thrive when given structure, opportunity and institutional support. Winning 84 medals speaks to the depth of talent already present within the system,” Adeboye said.
He also commended the President of the Nigeria Armwrestling Federation, Engr. Samuel Jackson, for his federation’s technical support and commitment to expanding the sport nationwide.
According to the SSA, the inclusion of armwrestling aligns with the Federal Government’s broader objective of widening Nigeria’s sports base beyond conventional disciplines, creating more avenues for youth engagement, talent discovery and career pathways in sports.
“Sports development must be inclusive. When we open doors to sports like armwrestling, we unlock new opportunities for discipline, fitness, competition and national pride,” he added.
Adeboye further described the armwrestling outing at BIPOGA as “highly successful,” noting that it has set a strong foundation for the sport’s continued participation in future editions of the Police Games and other national competitions.
As the Police Games progress toward their conclusion, the SSA reiterated that such platforms remain critical to strengthening grassroots sports structures and building a healthier, more engaged sporting culture across Nigeria.