Lacklustre Olympics' performance raises concerns over Moroccan sports

25/08/2008

Morocco's poor showing at the Beijing Olympics Games is leading some sports fans, athletes and trainers in the Kingdom to question government support of sports training programmes.

By Mawassi Lahcen for Magharebia in Casablanca – 25/08/08

[Mawassi Lahcen] An exhausted but content Jaouad Gharib (left) holds the silver medal he won in the marathon race in Beijing.

Morocco fielded a considerable team at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games: 49 athletes, including 11 women, competed for the kingdom in seven different sports. The final results however failed to impress, with just one silver medal won by Jaouad Gharib in the marathon and one bronze medal won by Hasna Benhassi in the women's 800m.

The Olympic losses for Morocco have left behind widespread displeasure on the street. Physical education teacher Ftahi Jamal thinks the main reason behind these results is the absence of a clear sports policy in Morocco.

"We are still depending on athletes who are self-made or athletes who have benefited from the conditions provided to them by other countries," he said. "That was why Morocco didn't take part in any team sports, such as football or basketball... it is impossible that a sports team be formed based on self-means, like in the case of individual athletes."

Yathreb Zakaria, a clothing trader, said the results Morocco achieved were to be expected in view of the country's capabilities. "We must not forget that Morocco is a poor country and doesn't have the same ability to create high-level athletes in all sports," Zakaria said. "It is enough to see the distribution of medals in the Olympics to be sure that the number of medals won by each country is proportionate to its economic weight and to the capabilities it can provide for sports."

Retired Moroccan football great Aziz Bouderbala spoke with Magharebia about his bitterness and displeasure with the results. He said, "Since my return to Morocco, I have heard plans to promote sports in Morocco, and about new policies and trends drawn up by officials. Unfortunately, the results are contrary to these high-sounding speeches."

On the other hand, sports officials in Morocco say it is a lack of financial support that is most to blame. Jamal Kaed, head of Sports Promotion and Programmes at the Moulay Abdullah Sports Hall and Naval Base in Mohammedia, said that the results achieved by Morocco were expected.

"Except in athletics, where Morocco has a strong team which had intensive training and preparations both inside and outside Morocco," he said, "our chances were very poor in view of the stiff competition." Kaed added, "The reason is well-known. In short, the budget of the Moroccan Sports and Youth Ministry is less than the salary of a professional footballer."

Hasan Botkiout, Manager of National Teams for the Ministry of Youth and Sports, responded to these criticisms, saying things have actually started to change. He said Morocco has a consistent, systematic policy for preparing athletes for the Olympic Games.

"It's no coincidence that our chances in athletics are stronger," Botkiout said. "Since 1984, Morocco has adopted a special policy in athletics by establishing the National Institute in Rabat and training centres in Ifrane, Casablanca and Maamoura Forest."

Since 2007, the official continued, the ministry has broadened this permanent infrastructure to include other sports such as boxing, judo, cycling, wrestling, and weight-lifting.

When asked about Morocco's poor results even in the flagship field of athletics, Botkiout said, "We are now going through a transitional period. The top champions started to get old, while the young ones are in the process of developing and acquiring experience. Therefore, we have every confidence in the future."