Saraswati Chand. Telegraph picture

Jajpur, Aug. 25: Saraswati Chand, a woman havildar from Jajpur, is the only police personnel from the state to be part of the 30-member national athletic team representing the country at the 14th World Police and Fire Games-2011 in New York.

The biennial event began today and would continue till September 5. This year, about 15,000 athletes from 70 countries are participating in 80 events.

This is not the first time that Saraswati is participating in a global sports meet. She was the lone policewoman from Orissa in the Indian team at the 13th World Police and Fire Games at British Columbia, Canada, in 2009. There she had won six medals, including two gold, in the 400 and 200-metre race.

“Since I am participating in the World Police and Fire Games for the second time, I have set bigger targets for myself and am aiming to win more medals. I have been preparing myself to perform better this year. The task at hand is challenging and I will put in my best efforts and take my state and country to newer heights,” Saraswati told The Telegraph over phone.

Deputy inspector general (DIG) of police (central range) D.S. Kuttey, who was Jajpur superintendent of police when Saraswati participated in the 13th World Police and Fire Games, Canada, was also excited.

“Saraswati made Orissa police proud with her achievements last time and we had promoted her to the rank of a havildar. We have written to the government to promote her. I hope she would win more medals this year,” said Kuttey, adding that Saraswati was the first and only policewoman from the state to represent the nation at the global meet.

“Though posted as a havildar in Jajpur, she has travelled around the country for practice and training.,” said Deepak Kumar, Jajpur superintendent of police.