GREENSBORO &045; Morris Polion, a Greensboro policeman, and his younger brother Tony Polion, who is an investigator for the state’s Department of Mental Health, will represent the United States. and the state of Alabama at the 2007 World Police and Fire Games. This major event will take place from March 16-25, this year in Adelaide, Australia.

The World Police and Fire Games, which is held every two years, are the third largest of the world games, the Olympics being the largest. The WPF Games are running neck and neck with the Pan-American Games.

In 1985, the World Police and Fire Games Federation, a non-profit organization run by the California Police Athletics Federation established the World Police and Fire Games.

Today, the World Police and Fire Games are a spectacular international sporting event offering police officers, firefighters, customs and correctional officers from around the world (over 100 countries) an opportunity to showcase their athletic excellence in over 65 sporting events.

More than 15,000 police, firemen, supporters, and officials will converge on Australia next month. There will be a little less than 5,000 competitors from the U.S. The Polion brothers are the only two representatives from the state of Alabama.

They have been competing in the games since 1995, where their first event was also in Australia (Melbourne). In 1994 the brothers won gold medals in local, state, national, and also the international competitions in martial arts that year, and was invited to compete in the world games, and have been competing ever since. They have competed Spain (Barcelona), Sweden, and in Canada, as well as other areas in the U.S.

The Polion brothers, who are still seeking sponsors to help defray some the costs for the games, specialize in the area of martial arts, as members of the U.S. karate team, which is a team of 12.

Every athlete, as in any Olympic sport, is responsible for securing his or her own sponsorship, and sponsorships are critical to the success of this event and the success of the athletes.

Every sponsor will enjoy the benefits of positive international exposure and local publicity for their support. Sponsorship helps to provide transportation, room and board, training, medical support, and international game fees.

Both brothers walked away with gold medals in individual competitions in Spain four years ago. They have competed and won in every world game since they started competing.

Morris Polion has been in law enforcement for 18 years. He is currently serving as a police officer for Greensboro and the Chief of Police for the town of Akron. His brother Tony has been in law enforcement for 14 years. He started with the Tuscaloosa Police Department and has served in his current capacity the last four years.

The Polion brothers are hoping the state of Alabama will support them and help them to bring home the gold. If you would like to help sponsor the brothers can contact them at: 205-331-1004.

Or you can make checks, which are tax deductible, payable to: Morris Polion or Tony Polion, Bama Karate Club 2007, Alabama Credit Union, Box 870, 379 Paul Bryant Drive, Tuscaloosa, Al. 35486.