By Inspector Alfred Chimthere:
The Inspector General of Police (IGP) Merlyne Yolamu (PPM), has lifted the morale for the Southern Africa Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation (SARPCCO) games travelling squad by rallying them to compete for medals in Tanzania.
She was addressing a 150-member squad of Police officers on Monday, August 29, 2022 at National Police Headquarters parade ground in Lilongwe. The team is departing for Dar Es Salaam on August 30 through Songwe border in Karonga.
Said the IGP: “I know we are not sending mere participants to the tournament. Iam convinced that we shall bring back results”.
She also tackled on unity of purpose, discipline and interaction with colleagues from other countries.
“Whilst there in Tanzania for the two weeks, always remember that you are carrying the Malawi flag and i urge you to remain patriotic throughout the period” said Yolamu.
Speaking earlier in his welcoming remarks, the Team Leader for Malawi, Casper Chalera who is the Commissioner of Police, explained that the team is geared for the event which runs from September 1 to 15.
“We have undergone a series of camping and training schedules hence the team is in good shape at the moment” said Chalera.
There will be 10 countries within the SADC Region who have confirmed participation this year.
The Malawi team will compete in eight categories namely: Men’s football, Women’s Football, Men’s Volleyball, Women’s Volleyball, Netball, Chess, Athletics and Darts.
The current squad is the largest contingent Malawi has ever sent to the SARPCCO games, which takes place once every two years. In 2015 there were 56 participants who represented the country in Swaziland.
Malawi hosted the tournament in 2009 at College of Medicine in Blantyre.
The SARPCCO bloc was established in 1995 to foster relationship amongst Police member states in dealing with cross-border crime, and the games are part of that interaction.
