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Freeman Razemba Crime Reporter
POLICE Commissioner-General Augustine Chihuri has urged the force’s sports team to be disciplined and raise the country’s flag high at the forthcoming regional police sports competition in Swaziland. He said if police officers were to effectively combat crime and excel in sporting activities, discpline was of paramount importance.
Comm-Gen Chihuri was speaking at the send-off ceremony for participants at the Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Co-operation Organisation (SARPCCO) Games taking place from Wednesday next week to August 2 in Swaziland.
One hundred and ninety-eight police officers are expected to leave Zimbabwe on Monday for the ninth edition of the Games.
“Certainly, the sportspersons we are sending to duty have demonstrated their pedigree and commendable, unabated appetite for excellence,” said Comm-Gen Chihuri.
“Allow me at this juncture to commend you for your much admired standard of discipline which has been much applauded.”
Comm-Gen Chihuri said it had been shown that discipline, proper management and administration were the vital ingredients that attracted sponsorship and support.
“I urge you to continue with this pattern of good conduct,” he said. “This is an inspirational lesson that goes a long way in vindicating the beauty and nobility of sport.”
Comm-Gen Chihuri said the officers were going to compete in seven sporting disciplines — athletics, chess, darts, netball, tennis, soccer and volleyball.
He said he was happy that the officers had taken time to prepare and that they would defend the SARPCCO trophy.
The ZRP have been holders of the trophy for the past three consecutive editions after bagging it in Blantyre, Malawi, in 2009; Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, in 2011; and Windhoek, Namibia, in 2013.
Comm-Gen Chihuri applauded corporates, Government, private and individual stakeholders who have been supporting the force’s sporting activities.
ZRP Sports Association chairperson Commissioner Mekia Tanyanyiwa said the team was ready to travel to Swaziland and were not facing any logistical problems.
He promised the nation that the force would retain the trophy.
ZRP staff officer (sports) Superintendent Joshua Tigere said: “We already have a strong team and we are going to do well during the Games to defend the title for the fourth time.”
The SARPCCO Games are meant to create a platform for police officers from the region to engage in fruitful interaction, share ideas on policing traditions and foster regional friendship, understanding and co-operation through sport.
Online Reporter