The Ghana Police Service has officially adopted Rugby as one of its sporting disciplines as part of efforts to expand sports within the service.
Disclosing this in an interview after a film screening of “Remember The Titans” – an American Spaces initiative of the U.S. Embassy Ghana, the Director of Sports of the Ghana Police Service, DSP Bernice Timbilla, said the Police Service is already in partnership with the Rugby League and the Rugby Federation.
“Ghana Police Service is already in partnership with Rugby League and Rugby Federation. So Rugby is finally official when it comes to Ghana Police Service, so we have started and we are training. So very soon we will be participating in most of the tournaments,” DSP Timbilla said.
According to her, the Police Service is looking at growing the sport and harnessing all its benefits, including discipline, teamwork and fitness.
On technical capacity, DSP Timbilla said the federations have offered to support the Police with coaches and are currently running a Training of Trainers (TOT) programme to train coaches specifically for the Police Service.
“When that is done, the police service will have its own coaches, but for now, it’s an integration,” she explained.
Huge Interest Among Officers
Addressing whether there is interest in a sport that is not very popular in Ghana, DSP Timbilla said the response has been overwhelming.
“We did a pilot. We tested and it was quite exciting. They keep asking and they have submitted their names. We have more than the number we expected. So of course, the interest is enormous. It’s huge, and I believe that it would expand as expected,” she noted.
Women Can Do Sports And Do It Well
DSP Timbilla, who is one of the few women in sports leadership in the security services, also used the opportunity to demystify myths about women in sports.
“If you’re a woman, it doesn’t mean you cannot do sports. If you’re a woman, you can do sports and do it well. But if you’re a woman in leadership, you need to know that you have to earn your leadership. You have to be an example. You have to let them see that you are worth that position,” she advised.
Lessons From ‘Remember The Titans’
Reflecting on the movie screened at the U.S. Embassy, which focuses on racial integration, teamwork and leadership, DSP Timbilla said the lessons go beyond colour.
“It spoke about colour, but I think it goes beyond colour. In every team, we have different people from different backgrounds, different thoughts, different behaviours, different reactions, different emotions, and the coach or the technical team that handles them has always faced challenges,” she observed.
She said it takes a disciplined, mentoring leader to keep a diverse team united and motivated.
“It goes beyond just studying the rules and regulations. It extends to being the mentor. It extends to you directing them on the way to go… If you direct them to the right path, they will go to the right path. If you direct them to the wrong path, then it comes with failure,” she said.
She also highlighted the relationship between head coach and assistant coach in the movie, noting that many technical teams fail because junior members feel they deserve the top job.
“It took integrity and honour to be able to accept that. This has always been a challenge between coaches. People think that because they are not the ones holding forth, they can do better. Until you are put there, you wouldn’t know what you can do,” she advised, adding that every member must first deliver on their own role before eyeing another’s.
Open To Collaboration With U.S. Embassy
On future collaborations, DSP Timbilla said the Police Service is open to partnering with the U.S. Embassy and other institutions in sports, education and development.
“Of course, collaboration is one of the key things that yes, we are considering. We are considering collaboration in all aspects – in sports, in education, in development,” she affirmed.
The screening of “Remember The Titans” was organized under the American Spaces initiative of the U.S. Embassy Ghana to promote dialogue on leadership, diversity and teamwork through sports.
