Aouita returns to revitalise Moroccan athletics team
2008-09-05
Former champion Said Aouita was re-appointed as technical manager of Morocco's athletics team in an effort to reinvigorate the sport after the disappointing results in Beijing.
By Naoufel Cherkaoui for Magharebia in Rabat – 05/09/08
 [Getty Images] After a 15-year hiatus, Morocco's former athletics champion Said Aouita has been re-appointed as technical manager of the national team. He has been charged with winning medals for the kingdom. |
Following an emergency meeting on Wednesday (September 3rd), the Royal Moroccan Athletics Federation (FRMA) re-appointed former Olympic medalist and world champion athlete Said Aouita as technical manager of the national athletics team.
Aouita held the same position until 1993 when his relationship with the former FRMA president soured over what Aouita called the sporting federation's poor administration.
A statement from the FRMA said that Aouita's mission would be focused mainly on "developing the achievements of Moroccan champions who are likely to win medals… through enhancing the search for promising talents with the aim of introducing them to the national teams".
Aouita will also supervise trainers and runners, prepare training programs and camps and oversee the selection of the national teams for each international event and contest.
With his long career in athletics and the need for FRMA leaders with extensive experience, the selection of Aouita was only natural.
Aouita won gold in the men's 5,000m race at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Competing in the same race at the 1987 World Championships in Rome, he became the first runner ever to break the 13 minute barrier. He also broke world records in the 1,500m, 2,000m and 3,000m events.
Between September 1983 and September 1990, Aouita won 115 of the 119 races in which he took part. After retiring due to a thigh injury, he obtained a US certificate in sports training and management and worked as a trainer in Morocco, Australia and Qatar.
Aouita's re-appointment to FRMA this week is a response to the disappointing performance of Moroccan athletes at the Olympic Games in Beijing last month, where the Chérifian Kingdom brought home only two medals: Jaoud Gharib's silver in the men's marathon and Hasna Benhassi's bronze in the women's 800m.
Given the poor performance in Beijing, former technical manager Mustafa Ushar's departure was imminent. Talks between Aouita and the FRMA reportedly began before the Games even concluded.
"The decision to sign Said Aouita was made following extensive consultations between FRMA's board members," FRMA Secretary-General Mohammed Ennouri told Morocco's Al Sabah daily.
During the contract consultations, Aouita successfully fought to keep his position as an athletics analyst for Aljazeera Sports.
Reactions in the Moroccan streets were largely positive, with one young man telling Magharebia, "He is truly the right man for the job. Moroccan athletics is in urgent need of the competency and experience of world and Olympic runner Said Aouita."
"However, in order to ensure Aouita's success in his mission, people who have nothing to do with athletics must be removed," he said. "He must be allowed to work in calm, away from conspiracies and plots that have been plaguing Moroccan sports."
For years, the FRMA has been dogged by accusations of being unprofessional. Citing incompetence in the FRMA, Moroccan runner Rachid Ramzi left Morocco in 2002 to join the more supportive Bahraini team. Ramzi went on to win gold in the 1,500m event at the Beijing Games.
Moroccan sports officials are well aware of their losses and Aouita's appointment is an apparent effort to stem them. On Thursday, Moroccan Sports Minister Nawal Moutawakkil said that based on the Moroccan results in Beijing, "We must prepare now for the 2012 Olympic Games."
Email to a friend
Print version
Moulay Hesham Posted 2008-09-06
Apointing the legendary Said Aouita as Technical Manager is in my opinion a great move. Atheletics like any sports need role models who yongsters look up to, and who better than the legend Aouita?! Insha'Allah his appointment will begin a new era of Moroccan middle and long distance glory, not just for Morocco but for the whole Maghreb region.
Eng. Hasan Al-Bahkali Posted 2008-09-06
This is a good choice although it comes late. But it is better late than never. Said Aouita doesn't need an introduction. He is a world champion who gained expertise in detecting talents, artistic techniques and national spirit. Since he left the Royal Federation of Athletics in 1993, we noticed a decline in the achievements and lack of talents which are few and can be counted on the fingers of one hand. The supplier has stopped, therefore, Moroccan athletics have declined. Its decline and stumble was clear in Beijing 2008. The response to this was strong and quick. Restoring the spirit and repeating the achievements of that nice history since the period of Nawal Al Moutaouakil. Even if Nawal El Moutaouakil heads Moroccan sports, world committees made her forget her missions especially after she was chosen inn Beijing as a member of the Olympic committee. She was chosen because she is a woman. But the person who achieves no results in his country can achieve nothing for others. It seems that she was interested in media appearances. Now, with the return of the founder, the sword is returned to its sharpener with his enthusiasm. He smelt outside the house fires and dirt. His appointment immediately after the failure in Beijing Olympics 2008 will restore triumphs with early planning from now till London Olympics 2012. Engineer Hassan El Bahkali.
عداء محبط Posted 2008-09-06
The officials in the Moroccan Federation of Athletics have returned to reason. But let him pass, let him act.
abdul Posted 2008-09-08
i am all for changing the attitude of all those who have nothing to do with sport apart from making money and finding there interest. and that goes for the Ministar of sport her self she needed to go if Morroco want to sucesid.
abdlilah killou Posted 2008-09-23
For runners and coaches, prepare training programmes and prepare national teams to national and international competitions.
abdlilah kilo Posted 2008-10-06
A statement from the FRMA said that the mission of the new coach would be focused mainly on "developing the achievements of Moroccan champions who are likely to win medals… through enhancing the search for promising talents with the aim of introducing them to the national teams".
mefiteh Posted 2008-10-25
Hello dear brother- Morocco is a big sports country. With Said Aouita, Moroccan sports will unquestionably find another path to success. –Your brother, Mohamed Mefite (a sports coach in Algeria)
killou abdlilah Posted 2008-11-24
Mustafa Killou, the winner of the 10-kilometre race at Pontet in 1984, smashed the race’s record with a time of 29’ 48”. A specialist in the 1500-metre, Killou will participate in the preliminaries in Nimes during the winter games on 14 December. This will be a great moment from a historical point of view.
kilou abdlilah Posted 2008-12-11
At this time, mayor Claude Gilardo has left the pack. As is his habit, Khlifat El Houssin, the winner of the first tournament, has begun his journey to Hell. Only his friend, Mostafa Kilou, can manage the rhythm of the Brignoles. Behind, a gap was made and, after 10 kilometres of running alone, the two athletes would cross the line hand in hand (along with Luc Siohan).
zakaria Posted 2008-12-28
Thank you.
elhadi hafid Posted 2009-03-11
I support your nomination and I hope this will bring a lot of change. You are professional and realistic and that could give this institution structure. You may even bring us back up to par. Personally, I too am an athlete. I am looking for support and encouragement and I am trying to find the means to join you. I already participated in national- and international-level marathons in Morocco. My hopes are tied to your decisions, sir. I await your favourable response. –Thank you
ayoub Posted 2009-08-07
I am a very good runner. I want to join any club if possible.
ايوب وفاقي Posted 30 days ago
I am a runner.
عاطيف Posted 15 days ago
I am very sad about the deterioration of the level of Moroccan athletics. Everyone knows this is the result of a lack of resources. I hope things will change in the near future. I also want to tell you I am fond of this sport. I run 1,000m in 0.0001.
We welcome your comments on Magharebia's articles.
It is our hope that you will use this forum to interact with other readers across the Maghreb. In order to keep this experience interesting, we ask you to follow the rules outlined in the comments policy. By submitting comments, you are consenting to these rules. While Magharebia.com encourages discussion on all subjects, including sensitive ones, the comments posted are solely the views of those submitting them. Magharebia.com does not necessarily endorse or agree with the ideas, views, or opinions voiced in these comments. This is a moderated forum. Comments deemed abusive, offensive, or those containing profanity may not be published.
Magharebia's Comments Policy