King Mohammed VI receives football officials
Morocco, Sports, 2/23/2000

King Mohammed VI, who was accompanied by Prince Moulay Rachid, received Tuesday general de division, Husni Benslimane, president of the Moroccan Royal Football Federation, and Driss Benhima, acting-president of the Moroccan commission in charge of promoting Morocco's bid to host the 2006 World Cup.

Prince Moulay Rachid, brother of King Mohammed VI, is president of the Moroccan commission in charge of promoting the Moroccan bid.

A FIFA delegation is to visit Morocco on Thursday to inspect the North African nation's sports, hotels, telecommunications infrastructure and other sectors related to its candidacy to stage the planetary competition.

The delegation will attend a top season match between Raja Casablanca and Wydad Casablanca, Morocco's two major clubs. The match, to be played in a totally refurbished stadium, will be an opportunity for the delegation to see how the Moroccans behave in matches attracting thousands of spectators.

The FIFA inspectors will visit the Moroccan cities and stadia proposed to host the World Cup.

FIFA will select next July the competition's host country from a group of five nations, namely Morocco, South Africa, England, Germany and Brazil.

Morocco, which has already bid twice for the honor to host the football world cup finals-- in 1994 and 1998-- has devised a several-million dollar plan to build new and modern stadia, meeting all the requirements of the world football governing body.

To sway backing to its bid, Morocco waged campaigns in Africa and the Arab World, where most nations voiced full and unconditional support to Rabat.

Morocco also rallied several African, Arab and international football and art stars and involved them in promoting its bid.

Previous Stories:
  Estonia replaces Morocco in Thai football tournament   (2/21/2000)
  Morocco seeks Thailand's backing to its World Cup bid   (2/19/2000)
  Gulf states unanimously back Morocco's World Cup bid, minister   (2/17/2000)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search