Nawel El Moutawakel commends the organization of the African Table Tennis Championship in Tangier and calls for a collective effort to develop the sport in Morocco.

Nawal El Moutawakel Praises Organization of African Table Tennis Championship in Tangier

Nawal El Moutawakel, the Vice President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), has commended the quality of the infrastructure and the organizational standards of the African Table Tennis Championship held in Tangier. She acknowledged the efforts of the teams mobilized for the success of this continental event while calling for a collective effort to develop the sport in Morocco and enhance its visibility on the international stage.

In a statement to MCG24, El Moutawakel expressed her pleasant surprise at the quality of the facilities within the sports complex hosting the competition. She specifically highlighted the attention given to various organizational needs, ranging from medical and technical services to mixed zones, athlete warm-up areas, and facilities designated for referees.

The IOC Vice President extended her congratulations to the entire team responsible for the organization, praising the spirit of solidarity, family, and unity that characterized the event. She noted that this atmosphere contributed to the attendance of international sports figures, including Petra Sörling, the President of the International Table Tennis Federation.

El Moutawakel also commended the trust placed in the Royal Moroccan Table Tennis Federation by international and continental bodies. She asserted that organizing competitions of such magnitude paves the way for Morocco to host other continental, and possibly global, events in the years to come.

Discussing the growth prospects for Moroccan table tennis, she emphasized the need for a collective mobilization involving the relevant ministry, the Moroccan National Olympic Committee, clubs, and all stakeholders within the table tennis community.

To reach the level of leading nations in the sport, particularly China, El Moutawakel highlighted that the journey would be long and complex, requiring sustainable commitment, improved coordination among stakeholders, and favorable conditions for the training and progression of athletes.

She also reflected on the challenges faced by Moroccan table tennis in previous years, mentioning the repercussions of internal conflicts and exclusion on the sport’s development. El Moutawakel expressed her disappointment with this situation, noting that young athletes were the first to suffer, losing opportunities for advancement and participation in competitions.

However, the Olympic official expressed her joy at seeing some players return to the continental scene, while other athletes from France, Switzerland, Spain, and various Moroccan cities contributed to this sporting dynamic. She stressed the importance of supporting young talents and providing them with the resources necessary to develop their potential.

For Nawal El Moutawakel, the future of Moroccan table tennis hinges on uniting all components of the sport, overcoming differences, and establishing a shared vision centered on the interests of athletes and the development of the sport.

Hosting the African Championship in Tangier represents a significant opportunity to solidify Morocco’s presence in the continental and international sports landscape while opening new avenues for the growth of national table tennis.