CAIRO, June 17 (Xinhua) -- Egypt has intensified security arrangements and plans in preparation for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), the country's Interior Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The intensified security measures include plans to ensure the safety of all participating national teams and the tournament-related activities, the statement added.
Checkpoints have also been established around the hotels, where the teams stay, stadiums and all roads and squares leading to them, it added.
The security plans aim to provide a safe climate to reflect a good image of Egypt, it added.
The 32nd AFCON will kick off on June 21, with the opening match between Egypt and Zimbabwe, and the final will be on July 19.
Joined by 24 teams in six groups, the competition will be held at six stadiums in four Egyptian cities: the capital Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and Ismailia.
Egypt is the most frequent AFCON title holder, as they won the championship seven times in their history, the latest was in 2010.
