Local Organizing Committee (LOC) head Hani Abou-Reida confirmed on Tuesday that the African Cup of Nations (ACN) matches will all be televised on Egyptian channels. “This a traditional right for the host country,” Abou-Reida told a press conference. The LOC has prepared high-tech equipment to broadcast all the ACN matches that will take place in Egypt from January 20th to February 10th, 2006. “We agreed a deal with a Spanish media company to broadcast the tournament,” he said. “It's the same company that broadcasted the 1998 World Cup finals in France.” Regarding other preparations, Abou-Reida stated the Egypt LOC is ready to receive all the participating teams that will arrive starting January 16th. “We are absolutely ready to receive the participating teams and the African congress,” he said. Abou-Reida noted the LOC will be trying to accommodate Egyptian press during the tournament despite the huge numbers. “We are working on a solution for the press passes problem. CAF reserved 80 passes for Egyptian journalists, and we received 600 applications!” Meanwhile, Youth Minister Mamdouh El-Beltagi confirmed the LG friendly competition matches will be held in the Cairo International Stadium. The mini-tournament will feature Ecuador, Kenya, Senegal, in addition to Egypt.
