JMPD's Forture shines at the Metro Police Games

12 September 2016

 

The Johannesburg Metro Police Department’s (JMPD) officers did the City proud when they scooped three gold medals in soccer, netball and athletics at the National Metro Police Games in Turffontein last week (9 September).

 

The JMPD battled it out with its counterparts from Tshwane, Ekurhuleni and eThekwini for top honours in the annual week-long games, which included cycling, darts, golf, netball, volleyball, soccer, pool, shooting and athletics.

Although JMPD did not win the tournament overall – the bragging rights went to the eThekwini Metro Police Department – its officers’ performances were highly commended. One of the stars of JMPD’s showing was Elize Forture, who took the top spot in the athletics category.

“It required me to have endurance and I sacrificed a lot of time so I could train adequately for the tournament,” said Forture at the awards presentation ceremony at the Turffontein Racecourse on Friday night.

“I am glad to have won this category. For me, it was not just a simple run. I drew my inspiration from many people. So, it was important for me to earn the gold medal. One person I looked up to was Caster Semenya. She overcame every hurdle on her way to win a gold medal for South Africa at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. She has achieved a lot at international level. I am happy to represent all the women in the City of Johannesburg, especially those in the law enforcement fraternity,” Forture said.

Presenting the medals and trophies to victorious teams, City of Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee for Public Safety Cllr Michael Sun said the games were more than a sporting event.

“They are about fostering relationships among metros, which are united in fighting crime. As the City of Johannesburg, we can never fight crime on our own. We cannot say we are keeping law and order without establishing relationships with other metro police departments,” Cllr Sun said.

“When these men and women are playing sports out there, they are building relationships. Therefore, it is important that we network as metros through our police units,” he said.

Cllr Sun said the City was proud of all the teams’ performances and emphasised that the games should not only be about victory.