By Tom Degun
Following a strong performance at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Morocco have staged their first ever National Para-Games in the country’s capital city Rabat.
The competition was staged as part of the National Day of Persons with an Impairment, which is celebrated each year in Morocco on March 30.
It comes after Morocco finished in 37th place on the medal at London 2012 as they claimed six medals, three of which were gold.
Perhaps the country’s most notable gold medal at the Paralympics came from Najat El Garaa (pictured top), who took victory in the women’s discus F40 in a world record of 32.37 metres.
Morocco’s National Para-Games was held in partnership with the Ministry of Solidarity for Women, Family and Social Development, the Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Agitos Foundation, the development arm of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).
It encouraged associations working in the field of disability to pay more interest to sport as a means of social and professional integration.
The event was attended by 400 athletes from 34 clubs for wheelchair basketball, sitting volleyball, goalball, athletics, wheelchair tennis, table tennis, powerlifting and archery.
The Closing Ceremony was chaired by Bassima Hakkaoui, Minister of Solidarity for Women, Family and Social Development and the representative of the Ministry of Youth and Sports as well as representatives of NPC Morocco’s partners and sponsors.
The Ceremony also paid tribute to the former President of the NPC Salah Rachid and others who contributed to the development the Paralympic Movement in Morocco.
Contact the writer of this story attom.degun@insidethegames.biz
