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One of Malawi’s top athletes Francis Munthali won two gold medals in 400m and 800m races during Southern African Regional Police Chiefs Cooperation (SARPCO) games held from September 13 to 20 in Gaborone, Botswana.
Malawi police public relations officer George Chikowi said the biennial event attracted police teams from 12 southern African countries.
“Malawi sent four teams which participated in athletics, netball, volleyball and chess. The Blue Eagles football team failed to go because of the BP Top 8 Cup,” said Chikowi.
Chikowi said the netball team received got bronze after finishing third.
“Zambia got a gold medal in netball while South Africa received silver. The other two teams from Malawi did no do well,” he said.
The police public relations officer said Malawi’s performance was better than that of other countries which returned without any accolades.
“What is required is more training for better results in the next competition,” he said.
Chikowi said the games are organised to enable the participants to share experiences apart from keeping themselves physically fit.
“The gathering is very vital because we share intelligence on how to handle police issues,” he said.
The Malawi team was expected back home yesterday by road.
In a related development Malawi’s top female athlete Catherine Chikwakwa, who was on a two-month training tour of Germany courtesy of her manager Dorothee Paulmann, returns home today after winning a local 10km race in 33:21 in Trier City—their base.
Athletics Association of Malawi (AAM) publicity secretary Mzee Makawa said Chikwakwa outpaced the other runners and hit the finishing line in 33:21 minutes.
“There were ten experienced runners who were invited to take part in the race and the others who just joined shot-up the number of runners to 200,” said Makawa.
Chikwakwa also won last week’s 7.5km race.
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