From Guelmim to Laâyoune, passing through Boujdour, Smara, Tarfaya, and Tan Tan, Mohamed Ouzzine, Minister of Youth and Sports, carried out a 5-day visit last week to the Southern provinces to inform himself about the progress of a certain number of projects in the youth and sports sector and to learn closely about the problems encountered and the achievements accomplished in this matter in the region. Thus, during this visit, Mr Ouzzine had a series of meetings with local authorities, elected officials, and members of civil society, which were an opportunity to take stock of the current situation of the youth and sports sector in the region, and the efforts deployed to allow young Sahrawi Moroccans to participate in the building of a responsible, open society and also to distinguish themselves in regional, national, and local sports competitions.

During his journey, the minister also inquired about several youth sports facilities in the city, including the Mohamed Laghdaf covered hall, the Moulay Rachid complex, an athletics track, the Aaouda district covered hall, and a socio-educational complex. He also visited the Foum El Oued summer camp centre and the Al-Massira youth centre.

"This visit to the Southern provinces, which is part of the High solicitude that His Majesty King Mohammed VI surrounds his subjects with in these provinces, aims to inquire about the work launched in several sports and youth centres in these provinces and will be punctuated by meetings with the various local actors to meet their needs in terms of sports centres, local pitches, and youth centres", declared the minister during his meeting with the associative fabric of Laâyoune.

He added that his department, in addition to the programmes launched like the national programme for volunteering and civic education among young people and that of self-employment, is working on the expansion and strengthening of the social, cultural, and educational activities of youth centres as well as the upgrading of its infrastructure while mobilising the various actors of local development.

According to him, this year will be the year of youth par excellence through, in particular, the launch of several projects, including the "Youth Card" programme which offers several services related to summer camps, employment, transport, health, education, culture, and sports activities.