BBC Sheds Light On The "Secrets of Success" Of Moroccan Football

Rabat, March 25 (TNA) The unparalleled success of Moroccan football has captivated the world's attention, with its historic journey during the Qatar World Cup uniting Africa and the entire Arab world. Shedding light on this enigmatic phenomenon, BBC's "Sportsworld" program sent star journalist John Bennett to Rabat, Morocco, to uncover the "secrets of success" behind Moroccan football. During his visit, Bennett explored the state-of-the-art Mohammed VI football complex, which has played a significant role in the performance of the Atlas Lions, the first African and Arab team to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

Spanning across several hectares, the facility boasts an array of top-of-the-line amenities, including countless football pitches, an Olympic-sized swimming pool, hotels, amphitheaters, training facilities, and a football academy, rendering it practically a small town where both men's and women's teams converge during international fixtures. The Lions of the Atlas, for instance, spent 16 days at the complex prior to their departure to Qatar, according to the BBC. Notably, the infrastructure also supports the development of women's football in Morocco and strengthens the technical skills of many Moroccan and African coaches.

During his behind-the-scenes look at Moroccan football, John Bennett met with numerous personalities, including Omar Khyari, the communication director at the Royal Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), who explained that the complex is the fruit of a strategy launched by King Mohammed VI in 2008. At the FRMF, the objective was to first develop football by building the necessary infrastructure, Khyari detailed. Morocco constructed six stadiums with CAF and FIFA certifications before initiating the construction of the academy, whose model will be replicated on a smaller scale in different regions of the kingdom. The Mohammed VI complex is available for all national and local teams of all ages when they face crucial international matches, Khyari added.

For its part, the Mohammed VI Academy is dedicated to training young male and female talents, with the aim of preparing them for illustrious careers in Moroccan and European football clubs, Khyari noted.