WINDHOEK, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- Southern African nations have convened in Namibia to strengthen regional cooperation through sport, as the 4th SADC corrections, prisons, penitentiary services sports and cultural games officially opened on Monday.

The event, held in Windhoek, brings together about 800 athletes from Angola, Eswatini, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Namibia to compete in football, netball, volleyball, tug of war, athletics, chess, darts, pool and golf.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Namibia's Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security, Lucia Iipumbu, said the games serve as a platform to promote regional cooperation, professional development, and mental wellbeing among correctional service officers.

"These games are more than a sporting event. They support the physical and emotional health of officers and foster collaboration among correctional institutions in the region," she said.

Iipumbu said the knowledge and experience gained can also support inmate rehabilitation by using structured sports to encourage behavioural change and support reintegration into society.

According to Iipumbu, the games, held under the theme: "Fit to Serve, United for Victory", are in line with Namibia's national development goals and the SWAPO party manifesto implementation plan, which emphasizes youth development and the integration of sport in broader policy frameworks.

The SADC Corrections Games were first launched in 2006 in South Africa, with subsequent editions held in Botswana in 2015 and South Africa again in 2023.

In 2024, the SADC Secretariat formalized the rules of the Games, which were approved by the regional Ministerial Committee on Politics, Defense and Security. ■