At a modest hotel in El Jadida, far from media lights and public fanfare, Morocco’s national Muay Thai team is grinding in silence. Since June 24, the athletes have entered a closed training camp, preparing for the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games, scheduled for November in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Led by national technical director Lahcen Ouassou, alongside coaches Ahmed Mellahi and Abdelatif Bouakli, the camp runs until June 30. Its mission is clear: select and prepare the most promising athletes to represent Morocco in one of the year’s biggest combat sports stages.
A Sport in the Shadows, Athletes in the Spotlight
While mainstream sports get the limelight, Muay Thai continues to grow quietly in Morocco’s working-class neighborhoods. Its champions fight for more than titles — they fight for recognition.
Yassine, 22, one of the camp’s rising talents, says:
“This is our chance. We may not have big facilities or media coverage, but we have heart. And that’s what we’re putting into every punch.”
A No-Nonsense Camp with Clear Objectives
The training focuses on the official weight categories selected for the Islamic Games — six for men and six for women — in addition to disciplines like Wai Khru and Mae Muay.
Each day is split into:
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intense physical conditioning in the mornings,
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technical drills in the afternoons,
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and continuous evaluations of strength, skill, and mental readiness.
This is no routine camp. It’s a selection crucible, where performance, not reputation, determines the final roster.
More Than Training: A Mirror to Morocco’s Sports System
This camp is also a litmus test for Morocco’s approach to grassroots combat sports:
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Will the system recognize and support disciplines born in local gyms and neighborhoods?
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Or will elite sports remain confined to the already privileged?
Muay Thai athletes represent a silent yet powerful voice in Moroccan sports, and this moment in El Jadida offers a glimpse into what’s possible — if that voice is finally heard.
Towards Riyadh, But Eyes on a Bigger Goal
What’s at stake isn’t just medals. It’s the hope of dozens of athletes who believe that dedication can outshine neglect, that dreams forged in sweat and struggle can stand on any podium.
In the echo of every kick and block in El Jadida, a story unfolds — one of grit, pride, and national representation beyond the spotlight.
