Rwanda National Police (RNP) handball and Karate teams have scooped gold medals at the third edition of the ongoing Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) Games in Nairobi, Kenya.

Three countries – Rwanda, Kenya and Uganda – were represented in the handball category while six countries competed in the Karate category, namely; Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, and Sudan.

RNP handball club beat Kenya 32-26 Wednesday before outshining Uganda in a 34-23 win on Friday to retain the title they won during the annual event’s second edition in Tanzania last year.

"Our country sent us to win trophies… to aim for the best and we are happy that we have achieved it. We set a mark last year and every player is happy that we didn’t go low. We maintained the status,” said RNP handball coach, Inspector of Police (IP) Antoine Ntabanganyimana.

RNP also emerged the best overall in Karate, winning a combined 20 medals; 12 gold, four silver, and four bronze. Kenya came second with 19 medals, including four gold; followed by Burundi with eight medals (four silver and four bronze).

With one silver and two bronze, Uganda finished fourth while Tanzania (three bronze) and Sudan (two bronze) finished in fifth and sixth position, respectively.

As the overall best, RNP also bagged three trophies; Kumite men and women, and Team Kata.

RNP Karate coach, Chief Inspector of Police (CIP) SylvestreTwajamahoro hailed the "focus and determination” of his team.

"We are happy that we have successfully accomplished the mission, which we were sent here for. We represented our country well and had our flag flying high,” CIP Twajamahoro said.

The RNP men and women Karate teams also had emerged the best overall in the second edition of the annual regional law enforcement competition last year, grabbing 14 medals; seven gold, six silver, one bronze, and two trophies.

editor@newtimesrwanda.com