'Emergency Call Out' To New York Games

New York has been calling 911 - or 999 in the UK - to summon local police and fire service athletes to compete in the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) in the Big Apple.

Sports Minister, Carál Ní Chuilín (pictured) wished success to the local Northern Ireland team on Wednesday evening, as did Justice Minister David Ford and the Stormont Public Safety Minister Edwin Poots.

All three joined in a cross-party send-off to wish them the best of luck at a reception at Stormont last night.

Approximately 100 competitors will participate in New York from 26 August - 5 September in a number of disciplines including tennis, golf, cycling and rowing, representing the largest team from Northern Ireland to date at the World Police and Fire Games.

Sinn Fein's Carál Ní Chuilín said: "I welcome the opportunity to give best wishes to the athletes.

"These Games are now recognised as one of the largest sporting events in the world and in just two years time local athletes will be competing on home soil when Belfast hosts the Games in 2013."

Alliance party Leader and Justice Minister, David Ford added his best wishes to the team.

"I would like to wish our team the best of luck. The competitors from the Police, Prison and Fire Services, will not only be competing on the world stage in their respective sports but they will also be ambassadors in New York ahead of 2013.

"I look forward to following their progress and to seeing the Games come to Northern Ireland in 2013," he said.

DUP MLA and Health Minister Edwin Poots said: "This is a very exciting opportunity, not only for the firefighters and policemen and women who will be taking part, but also for Northern Ireland as a whole.

"It will highlight the very best of what Northern Ireland has to offer to the rest of the world.

"Our firefighters and policemen and women are courageous and brave and absolutely deserve their moment in the spotlight.

"I would like to wish them all the best during the 2011 Games in New York and I hope they enjoy every minute of the experience."

Chief Fire Officer and Vice Chair of WPFG Ltd Peter Craig, said: "On behalf of 2013 WPFG Ltd I wish the Team every success during the 2011 Games in New York. I am hopeful that the Team will increase their medal tally of 64, which was won in Vancouver in 2009, and I look forward to watching the Games and celebrating the many successes to come.

"We look forward to building on our experience in New York in preparation for Belfast hosting the Games in 2013."

Olympic medallist, Dame Mary Peters, Patron for 2013 WPFG, said: "The 2013 Games will showcase us as a venue for major sporting occasions, as a tourist destination, as a place to do business and as a place which can extend a warm welcome to the thousands of competitors and their families," noting that the World Police and Fire Games is a biennial event, which is organised for all 'sworn law enforcement officers'.

This includes, police, fire, customs, prison service and some smaller enforcement agencies such as coastguard services and drug enforcement agencies.

The 2011 team competing in New York comprises of officers both serving and retired from the PSNI, Prison Service and the Fire & Rescue Service.

Each of the Services has its own team manager and whilst retaining their own identity, the services will once again travel as a team.

(BMcC/GK)