FRMF Unveils New Football National Development Strategy

Rabat – At a meeting convened at the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF) headquarters in Sale on Tuesday, July 9, Fouzi Lekjaa, FRMF President, unveiled an ambitious plan designed to propel Moroccan football to new levels.

This briefing was delivered to members of parliament comprising the thematic working group responsible for assessing the national sports strategy from 2008 to 2020.

Lekjaa affirmed that the development blueprint draws profound inspiration from royal directives on sports practices, reflecting football’s pivotal role in societal integration, particularly among youth.

The strategy outlines essential components, such as broadening grassroots involvement and enhancing sports infrastructure across the country to meet international standards established by continental and global football authorities.

It also incorporates holistic measures designed to accomplish these goals, including intensive training programs, modernization of infrastructure, enhancements in governance, elevation of national team standards, and strengthening international recognition.

Lekjaa highlighted notable achievements to date, such as the Atlas Lions’ impressive journey to the semi-finals of the recent FIFA World Cup, the victory of the U23 National Team in the finals of the last CAF Cup of Nations, and the National Futsal Team’s consecutive triumphs in the CAF Futsal CAN.

He also noted the Women’s “A” Group National Team’s qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup round of 16 and successes in FIFA competitions across various age groups and disciplines.

Among these achievements, he highlighted the national futsal team’s qualification for the quarter-finals of the last FIFA World Cup, the U17 national team’s quarter-final berth in the last World Cup, and the first-ever qualification of the U17 and U20 women’s teams for the World Cup finals.

Lekjaa also noted the Olympic national team’s qualification for the Paris 2024 Games tournament and the national beach soccer team’s triumph at the recent African Beach Games in Tunisia.

The FRMF president spoke about the vital role that local communities play in supporting the development of football nationwide. Within this context, he also advocated for the transformation of sports associations into Sports Anonymous Companies (SAS) to promote continuous growth and professionalization within the sector.

Members of parliament from the thematic working group unanimously praised the FRMF’s initiatives under Lekjaa’s leadership.

Following the presentation, they toured the Moroccan Football Museum, which honors the nation’s footballing heritage with a comprehensive photography exhibition.

In unified efforts to enhance the infrastructure of national football, every team in Morocco’s premier Botola Pro League unanimously supported a far-reaching social welfare initiative for professional players and staff this past Monday.