The inaugural Open of Sahara International Petanque Championship started on Saturday in El Ouatia, Tan-Tan Province, bringing together over 200 athletes from six countries.
El Ouatia Youth Petanque Club is hosting The two-day event supervised by the Royal Moroccan Federation of Petanque.
Participants from Morocco, France, Belgium, Senegal, Mauritania, and Algeria form 64 teams, each composed of three players.
Morocco’s contingent features athletes from regional leagues, including the Souss-Sahara League, representing areas such as Guelmim-Oued Noun, Souss-Massa, Laayoune-Sakia El Hamra, and Dakhla-Oued Ed-Dahab.
Teams are divided into two groups of 32, competing across the International League, the Consolation League, and the Supplementary League categories. The knockout system will determine which teams advance to the finals.
President of the El Ouatia Youth Petanque Club and vice president of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Petanque, Salk Abdelrabih, highlighted the event’s broader goals. “This championship highlights our region while fostering cultural and sports exchange among the participating nations. It also seeks to elevate petanque on both local and international levels,” he said.
The competition will conclude with a ceremony honoring the top teams with trophies and valuable prizes. Abdelrabih underscored the championship’s importance in promoting sportsmanship and encouraging broader participation in petanque.