Four African countries including Nigeria are already in Ibadan for the Mini-Football African Cup of Nations scheduled to hold from Thursday, July 8 to July 17 in Ibadan.
Mr Adeshina Araoye, the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Ilaji Hotels and Sports Resort, the venue of the competition, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ibadan.
Among the countries already in Ibadan out of the 16 participating countries expected are Nigeria, Libya, Tunisia and Egypt.
NAN reports that some other countries expected for the five-a-side African Cup of Nations tournament are Morocco, Senegal, Djibouti, Somalia Ghana, Gabon, South Africa, Algeria and Namibia.
Araoye said that they are fully prepared for the tournament and had been receiving contingents from various countries.
“Libya arrived on Monday with 23 players and officials, while Tunisia arrived on Tuesday morning and Egypt on Tuesday afternoon.
“The Nigeria team have been around for two weeks now. We accommodated them and have been providing them logistics. Other countries are expected to arrive latest on Wednesday,” he said.
The COO said that the stadium and pitch were ready while hostel as well as hotel accommodation had been provided for the contingents.
“We have put in place integrated security network. We are making use of Operation Burst and Department of State Services (DSS) officials. We have also engaged community-based security,” he said.
Araoye said that the Federal Government’s financial commitment to the competition was still being expected and expressed optimism that it would be received before the commencement of the tournament.
Mr Ademola Babalola, the Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, commended Chief Dotun Sanusi, the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of Ilaji Hotels and Resort for hosting the tournament.
He described the gesture as a welcome development for Ibadan, Oyo State and Nigeria, saying such was another effort to keep the teeming youths away from criminal activities.
NAN reports that the Nigerian team has 28 players on ground for the tournament.