It’s hard to believe that the World Police & Fire Games (WPFG) is only 16 months away.
This week an international delegation from WPFG is visiting Northern Ireland to see for themselves how preparations are progressing. There is much talk about the Olympic Games this summer in London but the WPFG will be Northern Ireland's very own Olympics – a sporting event on a scale never seen before, and the third biggest sporting event in the world.
Yesterday afternoon I met with the WPFG Federation President, Mike Graham along with Sports Minister Carál Ní Chuilin, Dame Mary Peters, Peter Craig (NIFRS) and Max Murray (NIPS) to chat with the media about the progress towards the delivery of the Games. With the prospect of 10,000 competitors, from over 70 countries, arriving in Belfast along with 15,000 supporters this event has the potential to generate up to £15m for the local economy.
This is just one of a number of very significant and special events happening in Northern Ireland in 2013. I look forward to welcoming colleagues and their families from across the globe to Northern Ireland and to the opportunity to showcase the excellent facilities, attractions and hospitality that Northern Ireland is renowned for.
The opportunities for Northern Ireland created by the Games will extend as a legacy long after they finish and I look forward to seeing Northern Ireland put on the map for all the right reasons.
You can get more information on the Games by accessing http://www.2013wpfg.com/
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