Cricket in Morocco
Cricket is a minor sport in Morocco. Cricket was first introduced to the country in 1991, and the Royal Moroccan Cricket Federation became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 1999.[1]
The Moroccan national team has been active since at least 2004, and made its international debut in 2006, at the 2006 Africa Division Three tournament.[2] Although Morocco falls into the ICC Africa development region, the national federation also has links with European countries – a development team from the Gibraltar Cricket Association toured in 2003,[3] and England's Marylebone Cricket Club toured the following year.[4] In 2016, it was reported that there were twelve active clubs, spread across six cities (Bouznika, Casablanca, Khemisset, Rabat, Salé, and Tangier).[5]
In the early 2000s, an Emirati businessman, Abdulrehman Bukhatir, financed the construction of a US$25-million international cricket venue in Tangier, known as the National Cricket Stadium. Bukhatir's aim was to promote cricket in the Arab world. In August 2002, Pakistan, South Africa, and Sri Lanka played a One Day International (ODI) series at the ground, which was known as the Morocco Cup.[1]
References
- 1 2 (16 May 2002). "Morocco to host international cricket in August" – The Himalayan Times. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
- ↑ Other matches played by Morocco – CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
- ↑ "GCA Development XI in Tangier" – ICC Europe. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
- ↑ Marylebone Cricket Club in Gibraltar and Morocco 2004 – CricketArchive. Retrieved 22 February 2016.
- ↑ Bertus de Jong (18 February 2016). "Qui Vive look to bring Morocco to the Netherlands" – CricketEurope Netherlands. Retrieved 22 February 2016.