The Organising Committee of the African Nations Cup, OCANC, based in Equatorial Guinea has said the country has entered advanced stage in preparations ahead of the 2012 African nations Cup due to take place in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. The information was disclosed by the committee members during a news conference in Douala on Tuesday, October 19.
The President of the OCANC Equato-Guinean Secretary of State for Youth and Sports, Ruslan Obiang Nsue, was accompanied by OCANC Secretary General, Fernando Herms; President of the OCANC Marketing Commission, Camelo Modu, and the Vice President of OCANC Transport Commission who also doubles as President of the Olympic Committee for Equatorial Guinea, Manuel Asuolu Cawan.
Currently the committee is negotiating visa issues with other countries who will participate in the games. Those wishing to enter the country by buses could do so but must respect basic rules for entering a foreign country. We have built stadiums and rehabilitated existing ones each with a seating capacity of at least 40,000. In addition to our transportation facilities, RD Congo is also bolstering the public transport system. Security measures are well in place and the community is currently being sensitised to remain hospitable at all levels of interactions before, during and after the games. On the ease of interaction with the community the country is a mixed culture of different languages with the very many foreigners in addition to its three official languages: first Spanish, second French and third Portuguese. There are hospitality problems with expatriates, especially those without legal documents to enter the Equatorial Guinea. The organising committees in EG and Gabon meet monthly to ensure smooth running of the games. Live is expensive in EG given the country exports almost everything they consume. To this effect, Committee’s President said visitors should not be afraid as they are not too expensive as thought somewhere. Arrangements for lodgings, including hotels, have been made and accommodation is not going to a problem.
With a population of one million, the country faces the problem of having players. Reasons why the country of late naturalised 3 Guinean footballers. In all, 50 Equato-Guinean professional footballers have been contacted from around the world. They are expected to be tested and selected for the 2012 sport jamboree.
He said there is no xenophobia in EG. 50 per cent of foreign population in EG is Cameroonian and Cameroonians are very welcomed there as brothers so far you possess necessary documents and don’t identify yourself with any criminal activity. The problem is rather with other nationals.
