Moroccan society participates in sports such as handball, football, golf, tennis, basketball, and athletics. There are also a few professional teams. Several Moroccan athletes have competed at the highest level including Hicham El Guerrouj won 2 gold medals in the 2004 Summer Olympics and Nawal El Moutawakel won gold for track and field at the 1984 Olympic Games - the first woman from an Arab or Islamic country to win an Olympic gold medal.
Sports
Football
Football (soccer) is the country's premier sport. It is popular among urban youth and there is a national team. Morocco was the first Arab /African country to qualify to the second round of World Cup competition in 1986. Morocco's National Team is nicknamed "Lions of the Atlas". The Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football (FRMF) manages football in Morocco.
The athletic club, Wydad Athletic Club, is based in Casablanca and is best known for its football team. Wydad has the largest number of supporters in Morocco.
Raja Club is another famous club of Morocco. It was established in 1949 and most well-known for its football team.
Swimming & Water Sports
The proximity to the coast allows for people to enjoy a variety of water based activity. Swimming (indoor & outdoor), surfing, yachting, and deep sea sailing. The conditions at the beach may be dangerous so check out the currents and get local advice before swimming.
Golf
Morocco has some of the most beautiful golf courses in the world. The sport is quite popular, especially as King Hassan II was an internationally renowned golfer.
Horse Riding
Horse riding is beloved pastime and companies rent horses for tourists and locals. Riding is available in the city, and for trekking tour.
Stadiums
Stade Mohamed V - The Moroccan National team traditionally used this stadium in Casablanca.
Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium - The Moroccan National team traditionally used this stadium in Rabat.
Stade de Marrakech - The Marrakech stadium is increasingly being used for major competitions
Gym
Many of the larger hotels have added swimming pools and fitness centers. As most gyms only cater to expats and the upper class, they are quite expensive with membership per month averaging 70 euro.
Decide what aspects matter to you:
- Do you want to have a gym with free-weights or machines, or both?
- Do you want a gym that offers alternative classes such as aerobics, martial arts lessons, step classes, etc.?
- Do you want a gym that has swimming, sauna, and jacuzzi facilities?
- Do you want a single-sex or mixed gym environment?