How It Started

The project began through Mohammed Drissi’s involvement with Ekota. Having a strong passion for cricket and seeing the opportunities that sport could create, Mohammed spoke with Ekota’s CEO about his hopes for developing the game in his home country. He expressed that he “wished that could be done in Morocco”, sparking the idea of bringing Ekota’s approach to sport and community development across borders.

Following this conversation, planning with Ekota began, with initial discussions taking place in 2023. An exploratory visit to Morocco followed in the same year to understand the existing sporting landscape, identify opportunities and explore how cricket could be developed at grassroots level.

There was a need to rebuild the structure of the sport, develop local organisations and create opportunities for a new generation of players. Ekota recognised the potential to support this work and help reignite a passion for cricket in Morocco.

Building a Cricket Network in Morocco

Ekota supported the creation of the Moroccan Cricket Union (MCU), which subsequently developed a partnership with Milli, the Deputy President of Moroccan Sport for Schools, to help promote cricket within the country’s sporting and education networks.

Through consultation, advice and logistical support, Ekota has helped strengthen the organisational structure of cricket in Morocco. This work has contributed to the development of a network of 14 registered cricket organisations, creating a foundation for the sport to grow across different communities.

This progress would not have been possible without the invaluable support, guidance and knowledge of Irfan and Forehad. Their contributions have played an important role in helping establish the project, overcome challenges and develop the foundations for cricket to grow in Morocco.

Developing Players at Every Level

Our focus is on developing cricket from the grassroots up, ensuring that people of different ages, abilities and backgrounds have the opportunity to participate.

Today, the development programme includes:

• Four fully functioning adult teams.
• Opportunities for women to participate and develop their skills.
• Two age groups providing opportunities for young female players.
• Under-15 teams helping young players build their confidence and experience.
• Cricket sessions currently running in two schools, with plans to expand into three additional schools.

The programme is also supported by a growing network of local volunteers who are helping deliver sessions and encourage more people to get involved.

Investing in Local Coaching and Schools

Developing local coaching expertise is essential to making cricket sustainable in Morocco. With support from Ekota, two individuals from Morocco were brought to the UK to complete their Level 1 cricket coaching qualifications.

Having gained their qualifications and experience, both have returned to Morocco and are now using their knowledge to introduce and deliver cricket sessions in local schools.

This approach helps build local capacity, ensuring that skills and knowledge are shared within communities and that the next generation of players has access to trained coaches.

Cricket for Everyone

Accessibility and inclusion are central to Ekota’s approach to sport. Our international development work aims to make cricket accessible to people who may not traditionally have had the opportunity to participate, including disabled people.

This includes encouraging the participation of people who are deaf or blind, with adaptations such as specially designed balls to make the game more accessible. We believe cricket should be a sport that everyone can enjoy, regardless of their background or ability.

Looking Ahead

The ambition is to continue strengthening cricket at grassroots level while creating a pathway towards international competition.

By developing local organisations, supporting coaches, introducing cricket in schools and expanding opportunities for women, girls and young people, we are helping establish the foundations for a sustainable future for Moroccan cricket.

Our partnership with the Moroccan Cricket Union is an important part of this journey. Together, we want to ignite a lasting passion for cricket and give more people the opportunity to experience everything the sport has to offer.

From grassroots participation to international ambition, we are helping cricket grow beyond borders.