Governing Bodies
A Year of Global Excellence for Moroccan Sports
Moroccan sports reached new heights in 2023, securing triumphs and admiration on global and continental stages in a wide range of disciplines.
In 2023, Moroccan athletes have excelled on both continental and international stages, highlighting the nation’s prowess across diverse sporting disciplines. From the football fields to the athletic arenas, Moroccan athletes have in the past year consistently demonstrated exceptional skill and determination.
These triumphs not only underscore individual dedication but also highlight the robust sports infrastructure supporting excellence in Morocco, fostering a sense of pride and unity across the nation.
The 2023 Moroccan Football Revolution
Morocco achieved a historic milestone at the very end of 2022, etching its name in football history as the first African or Arab nation to advance to the semi-finals of a World Cup.
The remarkable journey in Qatar unfolded with triumphant victories over heavyweight opponents such as Belgium, Spain, and Portugal, showcasing prowess and determination.
The Moroccan team’s stellar performance throughout the tournament captivated global audiences, culminating in a fourth-place finish and a riveting semi-final encounter that unfortunately ended in defeat against France, the former world champions.
In October, the Moroccan Royal Palace endorsed the joint hosting of the 2030 World Cup by Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. King Mohammed VI hailed this as a historic step forward for Moroccan football and thanked the three countries’ footballing authorities for their cooperation.
Morocco has also demonstrated prowess in hosting significant continental sports events, such as the Women’s U23 Africa Cup of Nations. Additionally, the nation successfully secured the hosting rights for the Africa Cup of Nations in 2025.
Under the leadership of Fouzi Lekjaa since 2017, the Moroccan Football Federation has achieved these milestones through dedicated efforts, including ongoing reconstruction projects and the development of the Grand Casablanca Stadium with a seating capacity of approximately 99,000 seats.
Morocco’s national football teams, in all categories, have achieved remarkable success on both the global and continental stages.
The women’s national team, the Atlas Lionesses, made history by securing qualification for the round of 16 in their debut at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia.
The Moroccan U-17 team reached the last eight of the FIFA U-17 World Cup Indonesia 2023, their best result to date. The Olympic squad triumphed at the U23 Africa Cup of Nations, while the Sporting Casablanca women’s team reached the final of the African Champions League.
Meanwhile, the senior Atlas Lions Lions were the first national team to qualify for the final phase of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, which will be held in Cote d’Ivoire at the beginning of next year.
Morocco has notably maintained its standing as the 13th-best national football team in the world and continues to lead both African and Arab countries in the global rankings, outranking countries like Senegal and Egypt.
At the 2023 CAF Awards in Marrakech, Moroccan coaches and players were honored in several categories. The national team, led by coach Walid Reguragui, won National Team of the Year. Yassine Bounou was awarded Goalkeeper of the Year, while Hakimi and Amrabat were named in the Best Men XI.
In the women’s category, Fatima Tagnaout received the Interclub Player of the Year for her exceptional performances with both the national team and her club AS FAR, earning her a spot in the Best Woman XI. Additionally, Nesryene El Chad, a 20-year-old defender playing for Lille OSC at club level, won the CAF Women’s Young Player of the Year award.
Also this year, Morocco’s short-statured national football team made a significant impact in the category’s global tournament and contributed to a remarkable revolution in the field of football for people with dwarfism. The team achieved a remarkable feat by reaching the quarter-finals in the category’s inaugural 2023 World Cup held in Argentina, marking a historic milestone for this unique sporting event.
Aside from football, the year 2023 has been a great year for Morocco in other sporting disciplines. This includes athleticism, boxing, taekwondo, kickboxing, Muay Thai, Karate, and many other fields.
Moroccan boxing in global stages
The Moroccan boxing season commenced with the successful 6th edition of the Mohammed VI International Boxing Trophy in Marrakech, where the national team, including both men and women, achieved remarkable success by taking home one gold and three silver medals.
Khadija El Mardi won the world title in the -81 kg category in New Delhi, with this historic achievement making her the first woman from both the Arab and African regions to attain this prestigious honor.
The season finale for Moroccan boxing unfolded gloriously at the African Championship in Yaoundé, Cameroon, where the national team emerged victorious with an impressive haul of 8 gold medals and 2 silver medals.
Moroccan Taekwondo earns global acclaim
Like their compatriots in other sports, Moroccan taekwondo athletes have left an indelible mark on the international stage, securing top positions. Starting at the Arab Cup in Dubai with 13 medals, their success continued at the African Nations Championship in Côte d’Ivoire, earning 11 medals, including 7 golds.
The excellence of Moroccan taekwondo has transcended regional boundaries and earned global recognition over the past year. Notably, the Moroccan women’s and mixed teams secured a prestigious silver medal at the 2023 World Taekwondo Championships in Korea.
In adaptive taekwondo, Moroccan champions excelled at the Grand Prix in Mexico, standing on the podium twice, showcasing their skill and determination.
Soufiane Bekkali takes Morocco to the top of the world
Moroccan race runners joined their compatriots in other sporting disciplines in proudly representing their country on the regional and global stages. They too achieved global success throughout the past months, with the notable point being Morocco’s triumph at the World Championships in Budapest.
Morocco featured honorably at the global championships in the Hungarian capital, with Soufiane Bekkali once again impressing the world with consecutive gold medals in the 3000m steeplechase and Fatima Zahrae Kerdadi taking bronze in the marathon.
Morocco hosted the Mohammed VI International Meeting, where Bekkali set a world best and a new meeting record in the 3000m steeplechase (7:56.68). Meanwhile, at the 9th Francophone Games in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco set a record with 57 medals—22 gold, 16 silver, and 19 bronze.
Moroccan Muay Thai’s Double Triumph in 2023
Moroccan Muay Thai has also earned acclaim on the international stage. At the World Championship in Bangkok, Thailand, the team secured 10 medals. The U23 selection also excelled, claiming the top position at the World Cup in Turkey in 2023 with a total of 10 medals.
Further solidifying their dominance, the national Muay Thai team triumphed at the Mediterranean Championships in Loutraki, Greece, securing an impressive haul of 7 gold medals.
All of these impressive performances and historic triumphs in various sporting disciplines on the regional and global stage have made 2023 a bountiful year for Moroccan sports. From historic football performances and Muay Thai triumphs to moments in athletics and taekwondo, Moroccan athletes have shown that they are a force to be reckoned with in their respective categories.
As Moroccans revel in these victories, they serve as a unifying force and a testament to the nation’s growing prominence in the world of sports. With the promise of continued success, Morocco is gradually emerging as a formidable contender, poised for even greater achievements in the future.
-Morocco World News
Dr. Patrick Ekeji, who retired as Director General of the National Sports Commission in 20l3, has hailed Bukola Olopade’s appointment as the new DG of the newly revived Nigeria’s apex Sports governing body.
Ekeji, who has traversed the wide spectrum of Nigerian sports as a participant, trainer, and administrator, informed Sports Village Square that Nigeria got it right with the combination of Shehu Dikko as Chairman and Olopade as the DG.
“He (Olopade) is competent. With Dikko, I am certain they’ll chart and execute a formidable pathway for success in our sports.”
The Republican’s second term as United States president starting in 2025 is already sending shockwaves through the sports landscape well beyond the country’s borders, influencing everything from international diplomacy to gender politics and global events.
His presidency, marked by an ‘America First’ approach and unpredictable foreign policy, could reshape how the United States interacts with international sports organisations, athletes, and fans worldwide. While his administration would likely bring challenges, it could also present opportunities for American sports on a domestic level, despite the potential for friction in the broader international sporting community.
A key factor in Trump’s re-election is the evolving relationship between the US, and major global sporting organisations. As the AP’s Graham Dunbar observed, FIFA is more likely to maintain a positive rapport with Trump compared to the International Olympic Committee (IOC). FIFA “seems in a better place to resume warm relations” with Trump, based on the history of interactions between Giovanni Infantino and the US president.
Infantino, for instance, congratulated Trump even before the Electoral College win in 2020, using his Instagram account to send his message. By contrast, the IOC has maintained a “public silence” regarding Trump’s potential re-election, adhering to formal protocol. The IOC’s history with Trump includes a memorable, poorly received visit by IOC President Thomas Bach to the White House in 2017, marking a less-than-ideal relationship.
Additionally, Trump’s divisive statements, including his false characterisation of female Olympic athletes and his stance on gender in sports, could create further tension with the IOC. At a recent campaign rally, Trump “falsely labeled two female Olympic champion boxers as men” and pledged to “keep men out of women’s sports,” a sentiment that could alienate athletes and officials alike, particularly within the IOC, which has been navigating increasingly complex gender identity issues in sports, most recently with the Imane Khelif controversy.
However, Trump’s administration may still play a pivotal role in global sports diplomacy. FIFA, for instance, could find itself in a delicate position with nations like Iran, whose qualification for the 2022 World Cup and subsequent political implications were subjects of concern. With Trump at the helm, FIFA might need to carefully manage these sensitive issues, given the administration’s stance on international relations.
The Associated Press highlights that FIFA “seems to have an open line of communication” with Trump to address “potential challenges,” signaling a practical, albeit politically charged, partnership. One area where Trump’s re-election could intersect directly with the sports world is the bid for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. The United States is teaming up with Mexico for this bid, which will take place amid heightened tensions between Trump and the US Women’s National Team (USWNT), a team that has been vocal in its opposition to his policies.
Despite the ongoing animosity, the prospect of Trump’s administration derailing the US-Mexico bid seems unlikely. As Ben Rumsby noted in London’s Daily Telegraph, the bidding process for the 2031 World Cup will unfold “against a backdrop of open hostility” between Trump and the USWNT, yet the likelihood of it “torpedoing a bid for the 2031 edition also appears remote.” The US and Mexico’s joint effort will likely overcome the political challenges presented by Trump’s presidency, though the tensions within the women’s soccer community could complicate matters.
Additionally, Trump’s re-election may influence the upcoming 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, which will undoubtedly be a global stage for American leadership in sports. The current president of the IOC, Thomas Bach, has refrained from publicly congratulating Trump on his re-election, which contrasts with FIFA President Infantino’s early show of support.
With Bach set to complete his term next year, whoever succeeds him as “the most powerful figure in sport” will need to navigate delicate diplomatic terrain, especially as LA 2028 draws nearer. As the Telegraph points out, the IOC leader “can ill afford to fall out with the most powerful person in the world if the two are to share a stage come the opening ceremony of LA 2028.” The IOC’s ability to maintain a cooperative relationship with Trump’s administration will be crucial, especially as international political dynamics continue to influence the tone and scope of major global sporting events.
In conclusion, Trump’s re-election is likely alter the global sports landscape in significant ways. His approach to diplomacy, trade, and gender issues could complicate relationships with international sporting bodies like the IOC and FIFA, though organisations such as FIFA might maintain a pragmatic relationship due to their past interactions.
The prospect of a tense bidding process for the 2031 Women’s World Cup and the approaching LA 2028 Olympics underscores the complexities facing global sports as they navigate Trump’s second term. Despite the challenges, the US may still hold considerable sway in international sports, both through its domestic leagues and its ability to host major global events. Ultimately, how these tensions and opportunities play out will depend on the political climate and the adaptability of the sports world to an increasingly polarised global environment.
-insidethegames
Astute sports administrator, Bukola Olapade has been appointed as the Director-General of the National Sports Commission (NSC). He becomes the second official of the recently revived NSC.
The appointment is one of those announced on Thursday by the Presidency in a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
The other appointments made are that of Dr. Abisoye Fagade as the Director-General of the National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism, Dr. Adebowale Adedokun as the Director-General of the Bureau of Public Procurement. The other non-director appointment announced is that of Daniel Bwala as Special Adviser, Media and Public Communications at the State House.
Olopade, the Director General of the NSC is also the Chairman of the Local Organising Committee of the National Sports Festival holding in his home state, Ogun State in January 2025.
He served as a two-term commissioner of youth and sports in Ogun State.
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