Sport

Moroccan Boxing Federation Overhauls Technical Staff After Olympic Setback

Monday 12 August 2024 - 13:15

In a decisive move, the Royal Moroccan Boxing Federation (FRMB) has dismissed its entire technical staff, including National Technical Director Othmane Fadli, following the national team’s lackluster performance at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

An official statement from the FRMB announced that Federation President Abdeljaouad Belhaj convened an urgent meeting upon the Moroccan delegation's return from France. Held at the federation’s headquarters in Rabat, the meeting included members of the management office and regional league presidents, resulting in significant decisions for the future of Moroccan boxing.

The disappointing elimination of male Moroccan boxers, coupled with the underwhelming results from the female competitors in Paris, prompted the federation to dissolve the technical management team led by Fadli. This decision follows a series of setbacks, including the men’s failure to qualify at the 2023 African Championships in Dakar and the 2024 World Championships in Italy and Thailand.

In response, the federation has formed a provisional national commission to oversee teams across all categories and announced an international call for applications to find a new National Technical Director. These measures aim to revitalize Moroccan boxing in preparation for the 2028 Olympic Games in the United States and other upcoming major competitions.

This overhaul occurs amid broader dissatisfaction with Morocco’s overall performance at the Paris Olympics. Sports policy expert Moncef El Yazghi, in a recent interview, emphasized the absence of a comprehensive sports strategy in the country.

“In Morocco’s 60th participation, the best-case scenario rarely exceeds two to three medals,” El Yazghi noted, highlighting the nation’s reliance on specific sports, particularly football, at the expense of developing other disciplines.

El Yazghi also criticized the inadequate funding for many sports federations in Morocco, attributing weak participation and preparation to this issue. Despite these challenges, Morocco celebrated successes at the Paris Games, with the men’s football team winning a historic bronze and Soufiane El Bakkali securing gold in the 3000m steeplechase.