10,000
expected at 4th edition of Casabalanca women’s fun-run
Mohammed
Bencherif for the IAAF
1 May 2002 – Casablanca, Morocco – The Moroccan
Association for Sport and Development headed by former Olympic champion Nawal El
Moutawakel is to stage the 4th edition of its 10km women’s “fun-Run” on 19 May
in Casablanca with the patronage of Princess Royal Lalla Meryem, the elder sister of Kind
Mohammed VI of Morocco.
This event is the baptism of fire for the association created by Nawal El Moutawakel, who is an IAAF Council member and member of the IOC, and which includes a number leading personalities from the worlds of sport and business.
The Moroccan Association for Sport and Development has as its main aim the promotion, development and popularisation of all types of sport throughout Morocco.
More especially, the Association organises events for youngsters, women and older persons, holds conferences seminars and cultural activities all aimed at increasing the recognition of the importance of sport.
Around 10,000 women of all ages and social levels are expected in the centre of Casablanca on 19 May to participate in this year’s event and the organisers have also confirmed the participation of women athletes from France, Monaco, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Russia, Belgium, Qatar and Bahrain.
Local participants will include a wide range of personalities ranging from government ministers and parliamentarians to writers, from students to housewives.
For El Moutawakel, this sort of event “reinforces women’s awareness of the benefits of sport as a pillar of stability in the family.”
Attending last year’s event, Prince Albert of Monaco said: “It is an example that could be followed by many countries around the world and by promoting women’s sport it can play a decisive role in the education and emancipation of women.
“It is wonderful to see young girls running alongside much older women for pure pleasure, sharing the effort without any distinction of age, race or religion. It is really sport for everyone.”
With 8,000 participants last year - ranging in age from 9 years to 76 – the organizers are hoping for 10,000 runners for this 4th edition.