A legendary place in the economic capital, the Stade La Casablancaise reopened its doors on Saturday October 26, to the great delight of athletes and all those who experienced the glory days of this venue, long abandoned.
Lots of emotion and nostalgia during the reopening ceremony of this space, which was chaired by the wali of the Casablanca-Settat region, governor of the prefecture of Casablanca, Mohamed Mhidia, in the presence of the mayor of the city Nabila Rmili, local officials, former and current athletes as well as simple citizens who came to rediscover their domain.
The restoration work had as a guideline the preservation of the original architectural character, with the modernization and total renovation of the buildings housing the different rooms (theatre, projection, gymnastics, judo, fitness, etc.). It is a brand new venue which will now be able to accommodate members, sports schools and approved cultural associations.
Promises never kept
The closure of La Casablancaise in 2002 plunged historic athletics clubs into disarray, some of which were condemned to disappearance and the most resilient were forced into exile to avoid certain death. It was not only a sports ground, since its various buildings hosted cultural and artistic activities.
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Official promises were made repeatedly about the renovation, but they were never kept. Over time, the compound fell into disrepair, turning into a homeless den. Despite the mobilization of associative actors and the waves of indignation, nothing was done and no one took the matter seriously.
More than twenty years later, the Ministry of Education, Preschool and Sports, in partnership with the City Council, will finally take matters in hand to save the enclosure, located near Boulevard Moulay Youssef, in the heart of Casablanca.
The end of the tunnel
The renovation work, launched in 2023, required a budget of 87 million dirhams, financed by the ministry. In order to avoid relapsing into the mistakes of the past, the management and maintenance of the premises are now entrusted to the National Company for the Development and Management of Sports Equipment (Sonarges), under a partnership with the ministry and the city.
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It is not, therefore, a simple reopening of a stadium, but it is an important part of the sporting memory of the city which has just been restored. Casablancaise has seen big names who have marked the history of national sport parade.
It should be remembered that it is on this same track that Olympic champion Nawal El Moutawakil completed her first races. The same goes for the late Fatima Aouam, the multiple Arab and African middle-distance champion, who trained there to represent the national colors with dignity.
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The Casablancaise was created in the 1930s, during the French protectorate, under the name of the Lyautey stadium. It will subsequently become a mecca for sport and culture in the economic capital. Generation after generation, young people found refuge there to express their talents, before taking flight.
