Pitching to host Police Games events

Councillor Dr Philip Weir said: "Venues across Northern Ireland will be required and expressions of interest have been submitted to Sport NI for Craigavon to host a number of sports including football at Kernan, an open water swimming event at Craigavon Watersports Centre and sailing and a long distance canoe race at Lough Neagh.

"The Games are the third-largest multi-sport event in the world and there would clearly be significant opportunities for our local hospitality sector with 25,000 visitors to the province expected.

"Last year I requested that Council officers explore opportunities from the Games for Craigavon and I am delighted that we now have our first step on the ladder. In the borough we are fortunate to have a breadth of leisure facilities that few other Council areas can offer."

The 2009 Games were held in Vancouver, and next year New York will be the hosts.

In 2013 there will be about 11,000 athletes competing in more than forty sports. They will comprise firefighters, police, prison officers, coastguards and customs and other enforcement officers from all around the world.