Kamal Lahlou, the Moroccan Behind the April 6 International Day of Sport
/ Mohamed Aboussahl /
The world celebrates the International Day of Sport for Development and Peace on the thirteenth anniversary of the creation of this occasion, which was adopted by the United Nations and set for April 6 of each year. On this occasion, the international sporting community pauses to recall the value and role of sport for humankind, as well as the importance of physical activity, combined with intellectual and mental development, in nurturing and preparing future generations. As April 6 approaches, Morocco comes to the fore through Mr. Kamal Lahlou, the originator of the idea and the initiative behind the event. It all goes back to May 22, 2011, when Kamal Lahlou took part in the second international forum at the Palais des Congrès, representing the Moroccan National Olympic Committee as first vice-president. There, he put forward a proposal recommending the creation of a world day of sport, intended to recall the noble values and the role sport plays in the service of development and peace. This took place in the presence of former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and International Olympic Committee President Jacques Rogge, along with his vice-president Mrs. Nawal El Moutawakel, who welcomed and backed the initiative…
A year later, on April 22, at the General Assembly of the Association of National Olympic Committees in Moscow, Kamal Lahlou continued to advocate for and defend the proposal of a world day of sport. He once again called attention to it and stressed its value and importance in everyday life…
Persuaded by its international parliament, at the 67th session of the General Assembly held on August 23, 2013, in New York, the United Nations decided to adopt April 6 of each year as the "International Day of Sport." Thus, on the initiative of this Moroccan media figure and national sportsman, Morocco gives the world's sportswomen and sportsmen a world day that, year after year, revives debate and discussion about the importance and benefits of sport and its role in serving development and peace. Today, on its 13th anniversary, the world is witnessing intense competitive and intellectual activity celebrating the event. Across the globe, gatherings highlight the role of sporting activity in life and its impact on a wide range of fields. A prime example is the 2022 World Cup, where the Morocco national team reached the semi-finals, while Morocco continues to develop in preparation for hosting the World Cup in 2030 — and how this brilliance and success cast their glow over every field…
The World Day of Sport returns on April 6, inseparable from the originator of the idea and the initiative, Kamal Lahlou. The hope is that the country's sporting institutions will celebrate the event as it deserves, in a manner befitting a sporting Morocco that is on the move and growing…
/ Mohamed Aboussahl /
