The Moroccan Embassy offered, Wednesday evening in Paris, a reception in honour of the participants in the 11th edition of the solidarity and women's raid "Sahraouiya", scheduled from February 01 to 08.
Organised under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this exclusively female sporting challenge is held in the exceptional setting of the Dakhla bay, recognised for its incomparable ecological richness. This year's edition brings together about fifty teams from various regions of the Kingdom, but also from Africa and Europe, with a strong French participation, representing fifteen teams.
In a welcome speech at the beginning of this event, marked by the presence of eminent personalities from the Moroccan and French cultural, associative, political and sporting worlds, the Ambassador of His Majesty the King in Paris, Samira SitaĂŻl, stressed that the "Sahraouiya" Raid has become an unmissable event, "not only because it takes place in the magnificent city of Dakhla", but also because it carries within it deep values, particularly in terms of solidarity.
This multisport challenge, she continued, also embodies essential values of living together, by weaving ties on both sides of the Mediterranean, between Morocco and France, between Moroccans and French, whatever their beliefs or origins.
It is also an event fully aware of current ecological issues, observed Ms. Sitail. Each discipline – whether it be mountain biking, trail running, canoeing or run and bike – encourages the participants to surpass themselves, she said, while stressing the need to preserve the exceptional natural setting of Dakhla.
The diplomat also pointed out that this 11th edition of the Raid is part of a particular context for Morocco marked by the reform of the Family Code, initiated by HM King Mohammed VI.
This new reform, which strengthens equality between women and men, illustrates a fight for the progress of women and the improvement of their conditions within Moroccan society, she maintained.
For her part, the President of the Lagon Dakhla Association and co-organiser of the Raid, Laila Ouachi, indicated that this sporting challenge has become a symbol of female solidarity, enriched by the diversity of its participants coming from different horizons.
This edition, she specified, is distinguished by an approach that goes beyond sport, by also offering conferences focused in particular on the resilience of women.
"We will address subjects such as the ability of women to reconcile their role as mother, wife and professional, while highlighting those who are actively committed to supporting associations and improving the lives of others, whether it is helping other women or children to have a better future", she made known.
According to Ms. Ouachi, the Raid also plays a key role in the promotion of the South of the Kingdom, by highlighting circuits that allow discovering the beauty and nature of Dakhla. These routes reveal not only the splendour of the landscape, but also the richness of the Hassani culture and the exceptional natural attractions of the region, she stressed.
She also indicated that the solidarity spirit is omnipresent in the event, noting that Sahraouiya participated in particular in the fundraising for the launch of the first SOS Village in Dakhla and the sixth in Morocco.
"The fundraising for this year will make it possible to finance the construction of a sports centre within this Village, a place that will benefit all the children of the region", she noted.
For her part, Assmaa Niang, a Franco-Moroccan Olympic athlete and future participant in the 11th edition of the Raid, said she was delighted to have the opportunity to take part in this 100% female sporting challenge which inspires her enormously.
"When I was offered to join this adventure, I did not hesitate for a single second. My schedule as an Olympic athlete did not allow me to participate before, but today, I am more available, and it is with enthusiasm that I commit myself to this new adventure", she confided to MAP.
And to add that this type of competition embodies above all solidarity between women, believing that each edition certainly reserves new adventures.
This 100% female sporting event takes place in pairs from start to finish for a shared adventure. This raid, life-size by its landscapes but human-sized for the fifty teams taking the start, is itinerant. It navigates between the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the golden sand dunes.
The participants compete in different events (Boot camp, canoeing, run & bike, trail, orienteering, mountain biking) spread over several days.
Organised under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, this exclusively female sporting challenge is held in the exceptional setting of the Dakhla bay, recognised for its incomparable ecological richness. This year's edition brings together about fifty teams from various regions of the Kingdom, but also from Africa and Europe, with a strong French participation, representing fifteen teams.
In a welcome speech at the beginning of this event, marked by the presence of eminent personalities from the Moroccan and French cultural, associative, political and sporting worlds, the Ambassador of His Majesty the King in Paris, Samira SitaĂŻl, stressed that the "Sahraouiya" Raid has become an unmissable event, "not only because it takes place in the magnificent city of Dakhla", but also because it carries within it deep values, particularly in terms of solidarity.
This multisport challenge, she continued, also embodies essential values of living together, by weaving ties on both sides of the Mediterranean, between Morocco and France, between Moroccans and French, whatever their beliefs or origins.
It is also an event fully aware of current ecological issues, observed Ms. Sitail. Each discipline – whether it be mountain biking, trail running, canoeing or run and bike – encourages the participants to surpass themselves, she said, while stressing the need to preserve the exceptional natural setting of Dakhla.
The diplomat also pointed out that this 11th edition of the Raid is part of a particular context for Morocco marked by the reform of the Family Code, initiated by HM King Mohammed VI.
This new reform, which strengthens equality between women and men, illustrates a fight for the progress of women and the improvement of their conditions within Moroccan society, she maintained.
For her part, the President of the Lagon Dakhla Association and co-organiser of the Raid, Laila Ouachi, indicated that this sporting challenge has become a symbol of female solidarity, enriched by the diversity of its participants coming from different horizons.
This edition, she specified, is distinguished by an approach that goes beyond sport, by also offering conferences focused in particular on the resilience of women.
"We will address subjects such as the ability of women to reconcile their role as mother, wife and professional, while highlighting those who are actively committed to supporting associations and improving the lives of others, whether it is helping other women or children to have a better future", she made known.
According to Ms. Ouachi, the Raid also plays a key role in the promotion of the South of the Kingdom, by highlighting circuits that allow discovering the beauty and nature of Dakhla. These routes reveal not only the splendour of the landscape, but also the richness of the Hassani culture and the exceptional natural attractions of the region, she stressed.
She also indicated that the solidarity spirit is omnipresent in the event, noting that Sahraouiya participated in particular in the fundraising for the launch of the first SOS Village in Dakhla and the sixth in Morocco.
"The fundraising for this year will make it possible to finance the construction of a sports centre within this Village, a place that will benefit all the children of the region", she noted.
For her part, Assmaa Niang, a Franco-Moroccan Olympic athlete and future participant in the 11th edition of the Raid, said she was delighted to have the opportunity to take part in this 100% female sporting challenge which inspires her enormously.
"When I was offered to join this adventure, I did not hesitate for a single second. My schedule as an Olympic athlete did not allow me to participate before, but today, I am more available, and it is with enthusiasm that I commit myself to this new adventure", she confided to MAP.
And to add that this type of competition embodies above all solidarity between women, believing that each edition certainly reserves new adventures.
This 100% female sporting event takes place in pairs from start to finish for a shared adventure. This raid, life-size by its landscapes but human-sized for the fifty teams taking the start, is itinerant. It navigates between the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the golden sand dunes.
The participants compete in different events (Boot camp, canoeing, run & bike, trail, orienteering, mountain biking) spread over several days.
