At the Davis Cup World Group II tie against India here, Morocco was expected to draw energy from many a great feat achieved by its sportspersons in recent times.
Morocco’s men’s football team finished fourth at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, the best ever for an African nation. Last month, Morocco’s women footballers qualified for the round-of-16 in their first ever appearance at the World Cup. Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali’s successful defense of his world 3000m steeplechase title just over a fortnight ago was the perfect icing.
Instead, Morocco’s tennis players will take to the court on Saturday with a certain heaviness in their hearts and a silent prayer on their lips. Last Friday’s devastating earthquake in a cluster of mountainous villages south of Marrakesh – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – has left nearly 3000 people dead. Morocco’s players had departed the country for India by then. They will now play in solidarity with those back home.
