By Kwame Bediako
Moroccan Ambassador to Ghana, Imane Ouaadil, has emphasized the role of sports in Morocco’s national development and commended King Mohammed VI’s strategic vision for promoting excellence in athletics.
Speaking in an interview on GTV’s Breakfast Show, she stated: “Well, actually it was His Majesty’s strategy to develop sports in favour of the sports teams, the Moroccan teams, to give them the infrastructure and also the adequately furnished European and world standards so that they can fulfil their duties and be effective.”
The Ambassador noted that this strategy has led to significant investments in sports infrastructure, positioning Morocco as a serious contender to host major global events.
She highlighted Morocco’s preparations to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal, adding:
“We have a criteria that we need to meet. That would be huge for Morocco. Yeah, I’m sure, I’m sure, and the government in Morocco is doing its best to enhance the quality of the stadiums, to build new ones.”
Madam Ouaadil also pointed to Morocco’s youthful population, stressing the importance of creating opportunities through sports-related jobs and community initiatives.
On broader national priorities, she spoke about Morocco’s efforts to combat extremism and terrorism:
“Morocco, we have been targeted by terrorism twice in 2013, and our reaction to it has not been only security-wise. We put in place de-radicalisation measures, and we tried to offer opportunities to do in terms of jobs, job opportunities.”
She further emphasized education and tolerance, saying: “It’s important to tell, to teach the young people that Islam is not a religion of violence, it’s a religion that preaches living together and tolerance.”
Drawing a parallel with Ghana’s religious and ethnic harmony, she praised the country’s peaceful coexistence:
“I think the best example that one can give is Ghana, because the tolerance that exists in Ghana is really amazing, and it’s an experience, let’s say, that has to be emulated in other places around the world.”
