Columbia County in the United States officially designated May 8th of each year as “WAC DAY” to celebrate the Wydad Athletic Club. This symbolic gesture marks the historic journey of the renowned team and acknowledges its significant sports and cultural impact both nationally and internationally.
This decision crowns Wydad’s status as a pillar of African and global sports, reaffirming the club’s strong presence in the hearts of its supporters across various continents. It also emphasizes its powerful representation of Moroccan and national football since its establishment in 1937.
On this occasion, Wydad’s components expressed their sincere gratitude to Columbia County Mayor Muriel Bowser for this prestigious recognition, reflecting the appreciation for the club’s rich history of titles and its national roles throughout different phases.
This acknowledgment is seen as a source of pride for all members of the club, serving as an additional motivation to continue working towards raising the flag of Morocco and Wydad high in international arenas, while solidifying the place of national sports as a vital element of parallel diplomacy that fosters connection between peoples. This was exemplified in the statement’s praise of former Moroccan player Hassan Sabouni as a shining example of the intersection between sports and diplomatic work.