BOGOTA, July 15 -- Host Colombia will dispatch 55,000 police to guarantee the security of the forthcoming FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Police said Friday that about 15,000 police will be responsible for guarding the stadium, 2,400 will cover the major hotels, 1,000 will safeguard the training venues, 2,000 will patrol on the roads and the others will support public safety.
Helicopters and balloons will also be used for the security, and a digital database, which includes three-dimensional data of the venues and 120 Special Operation commands, has been set up, said the police.
World soccer governing body FIFA has expressed confidence in the professionalism of the Colombian police.
FIFA U-20 World Cup will be held from July 29 to Aug. 20 in Colombia's eight cities: Bogota, Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla, Cartagena, Armenia, Pereira and Manizales.