Fouzi Lekjaa Positions Sport as a True Driver for the Promotion of Human Rights

From his opening speech, Lekjaa placed the debate in its true context: sport is neither mere entertainment nor a recreational activity, but a complete system of values, citizenship, education and social justice.

According to him, the choice of the Mohammed VI Complex, a flagship of national sports infrastructure, serves as a concrete illustration of the profound transformation of the Moroccan sports system, based on a comprehensive vision and structural investments.

Sport: a space where values, fairness and responsibility are built

Fouzi Lekjaa recalled that sports legislation, in Morocco as elsewhere, is constantly evolving to accompany social changes. But he stressed that despite these advances, human action remains fallible, citing the incident during the Morocco–Brazil U17 match as proof of the urgent need to strengthen sports ethics and education in values.

For him, the playing field is one of the first spaces for civic education: from a young age, children learn to respect rules, sports authority, teamwork and human diversity. They join a group made up of dozens of athletes and supervisors, whose diversity becomes a school of coexistence, tolerance and respect for others.

Lekjaa emphasized an essential point: accepting defeat, recognizing the opponent’s merit, knowing how to win without humiliating and lose without collapsing. These are behaviors which, according to him, are still lacking in certain segments of society, yet form the DNA of true sportsmanship. “The question is not why we play football, but what football teaches us and what it brings to society,” he asserted.

The World Cup: a national project serving citizens

Addressing the challenges linked to upcoming continental and international events, including the World Cup, the President of the Maroc 2030 Foundation affirmed that this project goes far beyond a sporting event.

He referenced key sectors such as health, education, transport and territorial development, stressing that Morocco’s modernization efforts are not dictated by sports deadlines but driven by the continuous Royal Will to improve citizens’ quality of life.

Preparation for future competitions, he added, is based on principles of fairness, social justice and territorial cohesion, ensuring that the benefits are not limited to host cities but extend to all regions of the country.

Sport, a pillar of human rights and Moroccan social diplomacy

For her part, Amina Bouayach, President of the CNDH, stressed that the choice of the theme was intentional. It reflects a deep conviction: sport now occupies an essential place in building a society that respects human rights.

According to her, sport is no longer just a physical discipline or entertainment. It has become a major tool for embracing difference, facilitating communication, strengthening social cohesion and consolidating individual and collective freedoms.

Morocco, a model of parity and diversity through sport

Fouzi Lekjaa recalled that sport has played a pioneering role in promoting gender equality in Morocco, highlighting emblematic figures such as Nawal El Moutawakel, a trailblazer since 1984, the historic achievement of the Atlas Lionesses, and Ghizlane Chebbak, crowned African Ballon d’Or.

For him, these figures demonstrate the transformative power of sport in revealing talent, empowering women and offering the world a modern and dynamic image of Morocco.

Amina Bouayach added that the rise of sport in Morocco, particularly with upcoming international competitions, represents fertile ground for strengthening achievements in human rights and enhancing human capital, especially among youth and women.

An event of international significance

The symposium brought together a wide range of national and international personalities, underscoring the strategic importance of the topic and its impact on public policy and contemporary societies.

Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv