The 10th edition of the Sahraouiya solidarity raid kicked off on Sunday in Dakhla and will run until February 10th.
The Dakhla Lagoon Association for the Development of Sports and Cultural Activities organized this year’s edition.
Fifty female participants from various regions across Morocco will take part in this competition, as well as from the rest of Africa and from Europe, with France being represented by 11 groups.
Eight students from Rwanda, Ghana, Madagascar, and Cape Verde will participate in the tournament, representing the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI).
This exclusively female sporting event takes place in pairs, from start to finish, offering an experience of sharing and cooperation between the turquoise waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the golden sand dunes.
Head of the Dakhla Lagoon Association and initiator of the event, Leila Ouachi, told news agency MAP that the Sahraouiya raid aims to celebrate the values of solidarity and commitment to a humanitarian cause, specifically in supporting the inhabitants of disadvantaged areas.
Ouachi added that a charity gala will be organized to raise funds for the establishment of an SOS Village care facility in Dakhla for orphans, including children affected by the earthquake that struck several regions of Morocco in September, 2023.
She also emphasized that the raid aims to make athletics a means of empowerment and autonomy for women–while also encouraging them to engage in camaraderie–as all participants represent civil society associations.
The Sahraouiya raid contributes to the international visibility of the city of Dakhla by enabling foreign participants to closely discover the unique natural landscapes of the Dakhla-Oued-Eddahab region, which is known for unifying the sea and the desert, stated Ouachi, who went on to highlight the cultural aspect of this event which draws attention to the rich Hassani heritage.
The participants will compete in various challenges (i.e., boot camp, canoeing, running & biking, trail running, mountain bike orienteering) over a period of four days.
Samira Malizi, Secretary General of the Department of Culture at the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication, and Secretary General of the Wilaya of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, Karim Anzali, both attended the opening ceremony.