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Sport Morocco led the rest of Africa when it came to falling under the grip of soccer fever and was the first African nation to qualify for the World Cup finals in 1970. Morocco’s impressive performance in the 1998 World Cup finals and the country’s success in the African Nations Cup during the 1990s has emphasised the depth of quality to be found among the country’s top players. Consequently, the country has several high-class teams, among them Kawkab Marrakech (tel: (04) 4444 6743; website: www.kacm.org), which is one of Africa’s leading sides. More information about professional football in Morocco can be obtained from the Federation Royale Marocaine de Football (tel: (03) 767 2706). Golf: The late King Hassan II was an excellent golfer, which probably explains why Morocco has some of the best courses in Africa. There are three fine courses near Marrakech, the Golf de la Palmeraie course, Les Jardins de la Palmeraie (tel: (04) 430 1010; fax: (04) 430 5050; website: www.pgp.co.ma), Golf d’Amelkis (Circuit de la Palmeraie; tel: (04) 440 4414; fax: (04) 440 4415), and the Royal Golf Club, Ancienne Route de Ouarzazate (tel: (04) 440 4705 or 444 4341; fax: (04) 443 0084). A round of 18 holes costs Dh500 at the Palmeraie course, Dh450 at the Amelkis and Dh350 at the Royal Golf Club. Skiing: From early December until March, enough snow usually settles on the Atlas Mountains to provide skiing. The ski resort of Oukaïmden, the highest in Morocco, is just 90 minutes south of Marrakech by grand taxi. With seven ski lifts, it is the best equipped in Africa. Equipment can be hired for the day, although prices will be a lot higher here than in Marrakech. The Royal Moroccan Ski and Mountain Federation, Parc de la Ligue Arabe, Casablanca (tel: (02) 247 4979), can provide information. Swimming: Les Jardins de la Palmeraie, Palmeraie Golf Palace (tel: (04) 430 2045 or 1010), is the closest Marrakech gets to a country club, with a swimming pool open to all for a daily entry fee of Dh500. There are also tennis courts, a golf course (see Golf above) and riding stables. Several other large hotels, such as the Sheraton, open their pools to non-residents at a price. |
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