Mtheto Lungu, AfricaNews reporter in Lilongwe, Malawi
Games from the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and Southern Africa Chiefs Organisation (SARPCO) will start at the Kamuzu Stadium in Blantyre, Malawi. Participating countries include Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mauritius, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Swaziland.

The games, launched Sunday by President Bingu wa Mutharika, who is also Commander-in-Chief of the Malawi Police Service (MPS), asked the teams to actively participate to improve their physical health.
"These games are a symbol of unity and solidarity among our countries, nationas, and police forces and services," he said, adding SARPCO was showing good efforts in encouraging police officers to promote peace and security in the region.
Internal Affairs Minister, Aaron Sangala, said SARPCO had helped reduce crime in the SADC region and that his ministry would continue to support sporting activities among police officers in the country.
MPS Inspector General Peter Mukhito applauded various companies for promoting the sports events and SARPCO chairperson, the South African Chief of Police, Bheki Cele, expressed it was important to strike a balance in extracurricular activities beyond borders of officers' work.
Formed in 1996, SARPCO games kick-started in 2001 when South Africa played host. Yesterday's game between Malawi and Mozambique to formulate part of the official launch were postponed due to water logging on the pitch.