A new life for: La Casablancaise des Sports
As with a number of other transformational projects in Casablanca, work is ac-celerating on the delivery of La Casablancaise des Sports. This sports field pro-ject, which has been underway for several years, is nearing completion.
After years of delay, the Ministry of National Education, Preschooling, and Sports resumed work on the outdoor facilities at the beginning of 2024.
Today, the municipality has officially entrusted the management and operation of the site to the National Stadium Construction and Management Company (Société nationale de réalisation et de gestion des stades – Sonarges). Under the terms of the agreement, adopted during the recent May session of the city coun-cil, the Sonarges company will manage the facility for a renewable 5-year peri-od. Prior to this, however, the ministry in charge of the project will have to carry out site development and maintenance work, as well as strengthen the ad-ministrative and sports human resources. As far as the municipality is con-cerned, it must make the site available to Sonarges as soon as the agreement linking the Ministry of National Education, Preschooling, and Sports, the Min-istry of Youth and Culture, and the municipality comes into force. The munici-pality also undertakes to beef up the administrative and sports staff, and author-izes the Sonarges company to use La Casablancaise sports field to host sporting, cultural, and social events. As far as Sonarges is concerned, it will have to set up and run an annual program of shows and activities.
La Casablancaise, formerly known as the Lyautey Stadium, is located in the heart of Casablanca, not far from Place Mohammed V. Built in 1936 by the French authorities, this complex has seen its heyday, with many national cham-pions passing through its doors, particularly in athletics.
Home to several athletics federations, the building has also been the venue for a number of artistic events, particularly in the Abdessamad Kenfaoui Hall which has also hosted general assemblies held by clubs and federations.
The development of La Casablancaise is one of the transformational projects undertaken as part of the Casablanca Development Plan. After the rehabilitation of the Arab League Park and of the adjoining squares (Mohammed V and Ne-vada), it is now the turn of the La Casablancaise to open its doors to sports en-thusiasts.
Aziza EL AFFAS
