It seems police games no longer appeal to the men in khaki. Barely a 100 policemen are participating in the 31st Ferozepur Range Police Games, which started on Monday. Till a few years ago, the number used to be nearly 500.

Teams from Moga, Muktsar and Ferozepur police are participating in the three-day games. While teams of 30 officers each have come from Moga and Muktsar, the Ferozepur team comprises 50 members.

Ferozepur Senior Superintendent of Police Surinderpal Singh Parmar agreed that the number of participants has been reducing every year. He attributed it to the freeze on recruitments.

“There has been no recruitment for the last many years. Many players have started ageing and they can’t continue playing. We need young officers in the police to increase the number of players.”

The games opened to an empty gallery at the Sher Shah Wali Stadium in Ferozepur on Monday. Basketball and hockey matches were played on the inaugural day in the presence of the chief guest and a few other invitees. Volleyball, kabaddi and athletics events marked Day Two of the competition.

Apart from no new recruitment, lack of interest among the police personnel towards sports activities is another reason for less participation in the games, said a police officer. Policemen blame it on “less incentives” to sports quota employees.

The state Government has sanctioned Rs 2 lakh to hold the three-day event.