Speaking at a press conference to present this event, Wednesday in Rabat, the president of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Sports for People with Disabilities (FRMSPSH), Hamid El Aouni stressed that several countries have decided to participate in this meeting in view of the medical classification, the qualification for the world championship and the Paris Paralympic Games, as well as to know the level of preparation of the athletes before these two competitions, like the national team.
He explained that this year’s edition, organized in partnership with the Ministry of National Education, Preschool and Sports, will see the participation of 44 countries from Africa, Europe, Asia, North America and South America, in addition to Morocco, which will be represented by 61 athletes (44 men and 17 women) out of 450 participants among the best international athletes.
The president of the federal body considered that the Moulay El Hassan meeting is progressing on an upward line in terms of the number of participants and their technical level, specifying that the last edition brought together 40 countries, while this year, four other countries have confirmed their participation, out of more than 48 requests received by the Federation.
He stressed, in the same context, that the meeting has gained momentum on the international scene after its integration by the International Federation of Sports for Persons with Disabilities in the Grand Prix competitions, under the leadership of the International Paralympic Committee, which constitutes a source of pride for Moroccan sport in general and sport for persons with disabilities in particular.
He added that the Moulay El Hassan meeting will also be marked by parallel activities, including a training course on the classification of mental disabilities, awareness days, and a communication meeting with associations affiliated to the FRMSPSH, as well as the organization of a national forum on “Women and Sport”, given that the meeting coincides with the celebration of International Women’s Day.
For his part, the technical director of the FRMSPSH, Said Lamrini, indicated that the meeting returns only four months after the organization of the sixth edition for reasons related to the international program which includes seven other meetings, specifying that the novelty of this 7th edition is the return of visually impaired and blind athletes, which will favor the achievements of the Moroccan champions.
He noted that the seventh edition will be marked by strong competition between the different participants, especially since its program includes, unlike previous editions, 121 events spread over three days, including 71 for men and 50 for women who will pit international and Olympic champions against each other.
This edition will also be an opportunity for Moroccan champions to gain more experience, and thus to enter their name in the lists of the International Federation which determines their participation in international competitions.
He considered that this meeting, which has acquired a great reputation at the international level, is an opportunity to reach the minimums that open the door to participation in the world championship in 2023 in Paris, in addition to the Paralympic Games in Paris in 2024.
The Moroccan national team includes several champions who have performed well in international competitions and set records, such as Ayoub Sadni in the 400m (T47), Zakaria Drihem in the shot put (F33), Amine Chentouf in the 5000m (T12) and Ibtisam El Garaa in the shot put and discus (F41).
2024-08-23 23:38:34