Kigali set to host EAPCCO Games 2023: Showcasing Eastern Africa’s Best in Police Sportsmanship
NCMP
March 19, 2023
Rwanda is set to host the fourth Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO) games from March 21-27 in Kigali, marking the first time the country has hosted the event. Originally scheduled for 2020, the tournament was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Thirteen sports disciplines will be contested by athletes from eight EAPCCO member countries during the week-long interforce tournament. In a press conference held on Friday, March 17, the Rwanda National Police announced that all preparations for the tournament had been completed.
Participating countries in the tournament include Uganda, South Sudan, Burundi, Ethiopia, Kenya, South Sudan, Sudan, and Rwanda. A total of 1,114 athletes will compete in sports such as football, handball, netball, volleyball, beach volleyball, basketball, athletics, darts, Karate, Taekwondo, Judo, boxing, and shooting.
Entrance to all EAPCCO Games events is free of charge, and the Police Spokesperson, CP John Bosco Kabera, has urged all Rwandans to come and support their teams. The opening ceremony will take place at Kigali Pelé Stadium, while the closing and awarding ceremony will be held at BK Arena.
The EAPCCO Games are not only organized to strengthen police cooperation in the fight against transnational organized crime but also to promote the talents of police officers and enhance community policing among police organizations by sharing best practices and experiences.
The inaugural EAPCCO Games took place in Uganda in 2017, followed by Tanzania hosting the second edition in 2018, and Kenya in 2019 hosting the third edition. During the third edition, Rwanda finished second in the general rankings, with 46 medals, including 27 gold, six silver, and 13 bronze. EAPCCO is a regional police body comprising 14 member countries.
