Covering nearly five hectares in the heart of the economic capital’s urban fabric, Al Amal is one of the city’s historic sports facilities. The project aims to bring this complex, historically dedicated to tennis, up to international standards, while adapting it to Casablanca’s new sporting, social and urban expectations.
The upgrade provides for a deep transformation of the central court, with the renovation of the playing surfaces in line with international standards, the installation of LED lighting compatible with television broadcasting, the refurbishment of the stands and the integration of an electronic scoreboard. The ancillary areas will also be completely redesigned, including changing rooms, spaces reserved for players, officials, media and the public, as well as enhanced accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
However, the relaunch of the complex is not limited to tennis. The project aims for significant diversification of the sports offer through the creation of new training courts, quick courts, ten padel courts, as well as the renovation of the semi Olympic swimming pool and administrative buildings. The upgrading of internal walkways, green spaces and access points is also included, along with the conversion of some premises into multipurpose rooms for sports and community activities.
This rehabilitation is part of a process of enhancing a sports heritage whose origins date back to the Protectorate period at the beginning of the twentieth century, when the Al Amal complex was designed as a major tennis venue in Casablanca. After independence, it became a public facility and for several decades hosted national and international competitions, contributing to the training of generations of Moroccan players.
After reaching its peak in the 1970s and 1980s, the complex gradually declined, affected by the passage of time and a lack of structural investment. Despite this gradual marginalization, Al Amal has remained a strong symbol of Casablanca’s sporting memory, making its rehabilitation all the more eagerly awaited by professionals and enthusiasts.
Designed according to principles of urban integration and environmental sustainability, the project seeks to reposition Al Amal as a modern, functional and attractive sports hub, capable of hosting high level events and fully fitting into the renewal of Casablanca’s sports infrastructure.
Through this relaunch, the metropolis is betting on transforming a long neglected site into a structuring facility worthy of its sporting and urban ambitions. It now remains to be seen whether this political will will quickly translate into visible works and tangible results on the ground.
Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv