Nawel El Moutawakel Commends the Organization of the African Table Tennis Championship in Tangier and Calls for Collective Mobilization to Develop the Sport in Morocco.
Nawal El Moutawakel Praises African Table Tennis Championship in Tangier
Nawal El Moutawakel, Vice-President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), praised the quality of the infrastructure and organization of the African Table Tennis Championship held in Tangier. She also honored the teams involved in making this continental event a success and called for a collective mobilization to develop the sport in Morocco and enhance its international standing.
In a statement to MCG24, Nawal El Moutawakel expressed her pleasant surprise at the quality of the facilities at the sports complex hosting the competition. She particularly highlighted the attention given to various organizational needs, including medical and technical services, the mixed zone, athlete warm-up areas, and facilities designated for referees.
The IOC Vice-President extended her congratulations to the entire organizing team, commending the spirit of solidarity, family, and unity that characterized the event. She noted that this dynamic contributed to the presence of international sports personalities, including Petra Sörling, President of the International Table Tennis Federation.
Nawal El Moutawakel also acknowledged the trust placed in the Moroccan Royal Table Tennis Federation by international and continental bodies. She believes that organizing competitions of this magnitude opens opportunities to host other continental and even global events in the coming years.
Discussing the future development of Moroccan table tennis, she emphasized the need for a general 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, Nawal El Moutawakel stated that the journey will be long and complex, requiring sustainable commitment, improved coordination among stakeholders, and favorable conditions for athlete training and advancement.
She also reflected on the challenges faced by Moroccan table tennis in previous years, mentioning the impacts of internal conflicts and exclusion on the sport’s development. Expressing disappointment over this situation, she noted that the first to suffer were the young athletes, deprived of opportunities for progress and participation in competitions.
Despite these challenges, the Olympic official was delighted to see some players returning to the continental scene, while other athletes from countries including France, Switzerland, and Spain, as well as various Moroccan cities, participated in this sporting event. She emphasized the importance of supporting young talent and providing them with resources to develop their potential.
For Nawal El Moutawakel, the future of Moroccan table tennis depends on uniting all components of the sport, overcoming disputes, and establishing a common vision focused on the interests of athletes and the advancement of the sport.
The organization of the African Championship in Tangier thus provides an opportunity to solidify Morocco’s position in the continental and international sports landscape while opening new avenues for the development of national table tennis.
