Top notch security arrangements for Total U-20 AFCON
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Despite the fact that the Total U-20 Africa Cup of Nations will be played behind closed doors, CAF and the Local Organizing Committee have ensured that security will still be treated with utmost seriousness, as Mauritania prepares to host its first ever continental tournament beginning Sunday.
Due to the restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, no fans will be allowed in any of the three venues during the three-week tournament.
CAF Head of Safety and Security, Dr. Christian Emeruwa says all plans are in place for the smooth running of the tournament. Dr. Emeruwa led the CAF Safety and Security team in a workshop to sensitize all officials on security arrangements for the tournament.
“We talked about all the operations of the tournament and what the expectations of CAF are. We also gave out a detailed operational plan for the tournament and we also got to see what the LOC had in terms of their own operational plans which are in sync with CAF and we are satisfied with everything,” he says.
“We are happy that teams have full security at their hotels and full escorts. The escorts are staying with the teams fully, something that has not happened before. They are permanent with the teams 24 hours a day which is a good thing," added CAF Head of Safety and Security.
Dr. Christian has also stated that the CAF Safety and Security team has introduced the same security standards as those at the Total Africa Cup of Nations where stewards will take care of the internal stadium security while the police will handle the external stadium security.
He has also stated that all team hotels have a permanent security liaison officers who move with the teams everywhere they go and are tasked with filing daily reports to ensure everything runs smooth.
“We are ready for a good tournament and we will also ensure that we will be transferring knowledge to the local people so that by the time CAF is leaving we will have trained people who understand basic operations of safety and security around stadiums,” he concluded.
