Casablanca Fun Run
Casablanca was the site of the ninth running of the Courir Pour Le Plaisir (Run For Fun). Expecting 25,000 runners, race organizers were pleased to have nearly 30,000 take part. Beginning as a five kilometer race, it has grown into the biggest women’s race held in a Muslim country with international participants. Moroccan runner, Nawal El Moutawakel, began the race in 1993. El Moutawakel and some of the international celebrities running the race visited at the Courir Pour Las Vie (Run for Life) project near Casablanca. Many of the girls, greeting the visitors, ran the race on Sunday.
This is a program that focuses on promoting sports activity among teenage girls. Morocco’s own Nawal El Moutawakel and IAAF member is a strong supporter of the project that helps girls to increase their confidence. It is also a tool to help fight against gender inequality. El Moutawakel is the first Moroccan, Muslim and African woman to win Olympic Gold. She has been a frontrunner in championing women’s rights in Morocco.
Laureus Sports for Good Foundation, of which El Moutawakel is a member, The Moroccan Sport and Development Association, along with the Regional Ministry of National Education, lauched the Courir Pour a Vie project to encourage girls to take part in sports. Workshops are held to help the girls gain independence as well as confidence so they will have the knowledge and courage to continue their education instead of dropping out early to get married.
El Moutawakel has commented that Morocco has had great progress in improving women’s rights. Projects like Courir Pour La Vie continue the work where does the most good with young ladies still in school. The three agencies encourage rural Moroccan girls to take part in sports. Beginning in 2007, the pilot version of the program started in 6 schools, teaching the girls women’s health and hygiene, plus nutrition. It was so successful that the Moroccan Sport and Development Assn. will train teachers to teach life-skills and sports in schools. Fitness and physical agility will be promoted to enhance health. Life skills will focus on such things as teamwork, self-determination, and independence. Organizers say that as many as 20,000 young women will be affected over a three year period.
Written by: Carole Morris
Provided by: Morocco Travel at Journey Beyond Travel
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.