Egyptian Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhy speaks during an interview in Cairo, Egypt, on June 20, 2019. Ashraf Sobhy on Thursday spoke highly of the country's preparations for hosting the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

by Mahmoud Fouly

CAIRO, June 20 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian Sports Minister Ashraf Sobhy on Thursday spoke highly of the country's preparations for hosting the African Cup of Nations (AFCON).

"The AFCON will kick off tomorrow and we're satisfied with everything related to our preparations for the competition, and we hope that everyone will enjoy Egypt's organization of the event," Sobhy told Xinhua on the eve of Africa's biggest continental soccer competition.

Hosted by Egypt for the fifth time in its history, the tournament starts on Friday with the opening match between Egypt and Zimbabwe, and will continue until July 19.

Joined by 24 teams for the first time instead of 16, the tournament will be held at six stadiums in four Egyptian cities: Cairo, Alexandria, Suez and Ismailia.

"We're very satisfied with the level of the six stadiums," the Egyptian minister said, adding that the Egyptian government is happy with the efforts it has done in this regard.

The Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Junuary announced Egypt as the host of AFCON 2019 after disqualifying Cameroon due to its late preparations for the continental event. CAF still has honored Cameroon with hosting the next AFCON in 2021.

Sobhy said that the only challenge that Egypt faced ahead of the competition was "the factor of time," noting that the country was able to overcome it through intensified efforts and hard work.

The Egyptian sports minister attended on Thursday an exhibition on ancient Egyptian sports activities held by the Ministry of Antiquities at the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square in downtown Cairo.

The two-month exhibition, named "Sports in Egypt through the Ages," is held on the occasion of Egypt's hosting of the 32nd AFCON, featuring antiquities and paintings showing ancient Egyptians practicing sports including ball games, wrestling, swimming, hunting and archery.

Sobhy was impressed by the exhibition and the Pharaonic sports practiced thousands of years ago.

"We surely invite all African delegations to visit the exhibition, which will be open throughout the AFCON period," the Egyptian minister said.

The Pharaohs are the most frequent AFCON title holders, as they won the championship seven times in their history, including three times in a row, the latest of which was in 2010.

"We hope that everyone will be happy with Egypt's organization of the AFCON, for it represents the image of Egypt," Sobhy concluded.