The third edition of the Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) Games concluded Saturday in Nairobi, Kenya, with Rwanda winning 46 medals in total. Out of seven countries that participated this year, Rwanda finished second, only behind the hosts, Kenya. Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza joined Chiefs of Police from other EAPCCO member states at the closing of the annual games. According to different disciplines, Rwanda won 27 gold medals, six silver, and 13 bronze. Rwanda National Police (RNP) scooped gold in handball and were also the best overall in Karate with; 12 gold medals, four silver, and four bronze. RNP also topped the Taekwondo discipline with eight gold and two silver in Kumite, three gold in Kata as well as two trophies in the two categories. In football, RNP scooped silver as well as bronze in athletics and shooting. While speaking at the official closing of the Games, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Raychelle Omamo, emphasized the importance of EAPCCO and sports in particular in bringing together regional law enforcement organs against threats to development, freedoms, and wellbeing of the people. “Sports is a unifying factor for law enforcement institutions to share security information as one team to guarantee the safety of the people,” Omamo said. Rwanda will host the fourth edition of the regional law enforcement tournament, next year. Omamo reminded that sports activities also provide room for learning from each other and wished Rwanda the best in preparation for the next edition. “Promote peace through sports. We hope in future to combine military and police games as we jointly form a strong bond and concrete ground for sustainable security as a pillar for sustainable development,” she added. EAPCCO chairman, Lt. Gen. Adil Mohamed Ahmed Bashir, Sudan Police Chief, observed that the bloc’s games will “keep growing from strength to strength to achieve EAPCCO objectives.” “Games enhance interaction and friendship among law enforcement agencies and enable officers to experience the rich diversity; sports enhance community policing and respect of rules, and EAPCCO is committed to maintaining this spirit of togetherness in pursuit of a common ground against transnational and organized crimes,” he said. “Crime knows no frontiers. It has become a sad global reality whose negative effects are frequently witnessed. As a result, we are obliged – like law enforcement – to counter this phenomenon. Cooperation is the way to overcome national, political and geographical barriers through the exchange of criminal intelligence and support each other in the fight against transnational and organized crimes.” The games are in line with the vision of EAPCCO Chiefs of Police, and it was adopted during their 12th AGM in 2007 under the theme: “Sports for strengthening regional cooperation and integration in the fight against transnational and organized crimes.” IGP Dan Munyuza (centre) with other Police chiefs at the closing of EAPCCO Games in Nairobi, Kenya. RNP Karate team finished top in overall classification. They are seen here with their gold medals and trophies at the closing of the event on Saturday. RNP Karate coach, CIP Sylvestre Twajamahoro receives a trophy from EAPCCO chairman, Lt. Gen. Adil Mohamed Ahmed Bashir. Kenyas Cabinet Secretary for Defence, Amb. Raychelle Omamo speaking at the closing of EAPCCO Games. EAPCCO chairman, Lt. Gen. Adil Mohamed Ahmed Bashir speaking at the closing of the games. editor@newtimesrwanda.com
