The sixth edition of the African Military Boxing Championship kicked off yesterday, Monday, at the Royal Armed Forces Sports Center in Salé. Organized under the auspices of the African Military Sports Organization, the championship will take place from June 14 to 22, following the noble directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Supreme Commander and Chief of General Staff of the Royal Armed Forces.
This continental event features military teams from 12 African countries: Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Libya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, Tanzania, Tunisia, Zambia, as well as the host nation, Morocco. Around 70 boxers will compete across various weight categories, embodying the values of discipline, brotherhood, and sportsmanship that characterize military sports.
During his speech on behalf of General Mohammed Berrid, Lieutenant General Mohamed Lakouti, Inspector of Artillery of the Royal Armed Forces, stated that hosting this event in Morocco is a remarkable honor for the Royal Armed Forces. He noted that the royal approval reflects the deep brotherly ties between Morocco and its African partners and reinforces the symbolism of sports as a tool for cooperation and unity among the continent’s militaries.
The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of the International Military Sports Council, senior officers from the Royal Armed Forces command, military attachés from participating countries, along with several civil and military dignitaries. The ceremony featured a parade of participating delegations, showcasing the official and fraternal character of this championship.
Major Hicham Chitibi, head of the International Competitions Department at the General Directorate of Military Sports, asserted that organizing this sports event demonstrates the royal commitment to strengthening African cooperation and solidifying bonds of friendship and trust among the continent’s peoples. He emphasized that the Royal Armed Forces provided all logistical and organizational resources to ensure the success of this edition according to the highest standards.
Captain Pierre Jendola, Secretary-General of the African Military Sports Organization, praised the extensive efforts made by the Kingdom to ensure the success of this event, expressing gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI. He stated that Morocco’s capacity to host such events reflects its genuine solidarity and dedication to enhancing African sports integration.
Honorary ambassador of the International Military Sports Council, Dourah Mambi Kueta, commended the quality of military sports training in Morocco, from which he has previously benefited, while lauding the high professionalism that characterized the organization of this championship and the Moroccan hospitality that reflects deep brotherly ties with other countries on the continent.
The ceremony also honored several Moroccan military figures. Lieutenant General Abdoulahi Maikano, head of the African Military Sports Organization, awarded Lieutenant General Mohammed Lakouti the Commander’s Medal of Merit, and Brigadier General Al-Mu’ti Mokan, head of the General Directorate of Military Sports, the Grand Officer’s Medal of Merit of the organization.
It is noteworthy that Morocco has accumulated significant experience in organizing military sports events, including the Military World Cup of Football in 1993, the Military World Cross-Country Championship in 1996, and the Military World Equestrian Championship in 2004. Additionally, it previously hosted the sixth general assembly of the African Military Sports Organization in 2019.
