Reservoir may host World Police and Fire Games

The site has been chosen as a potential location for fresh-water angling events.

Killylane is one of 41 preferred venues across Northern Ireland which will host the comprehensive range of approximately 66 sports featured in next year’s international 10-day event. The announcement follows a visit by the World Police and Fire Games Federation in April, when every location was visited and matched against exacting suitability criteria.

John Tully, Chief Executive 2013 WPFG said: “Every two years the World Police and Fire Games provide the host country with a unique opportunity to showcase its country, its people and its very best facilities to a captive audience of over 25,000 visitors.

“Sport is at the core of the event and it is essential both for the credibility of the Games and the reputation of the host country that competitors enjoy the optimum experience across every sport in which they participate. Over the last year we have been in consultation with the WPFG Federation, the local governing bodies of sport and an extensive list of venues to ensure that all the required criteria are met.

We are delighted that following the Federation’s visit last month we now have a list of 41 preferred venues for next year’s Games. Indeed the Federation Directors were extremely impressed by the range and quality of our facilities and share our confidence that Northern Ireland will deliver the most successful and the friendliest games ever.”

Preferred sports venues are subject to further planning discussions with the governing bodies of sport, commercial negotiations with a view to securing value for money and contractual arrangements. 2013 WPFG Ltd will now work with each venue to finalise an event schedule for each of the allocated sports and begin the development of a detailed operational plan.

Caral Ni Chuilin, Minister of Culture, Arts & Leisure said: “The announcement of the venues for the 2013 World Police and Fire Games is a significant milestone.

“The Games will be the biggest sporting event ever held in this part of Ireland. While this is a tremendous opportunity for tourism, there will also be other economic benefits for the areas hosting the 66 events over the ten days of the games.”

Approximately 66 sports will be featured in the Games which take place from August 1 - 10 August, 2013. As the main host city Belfast will be home to the majority of the sports, with the remaining events being spread across Northern Ireland.