Mohammedia: Mohammed VI Foundation of Sports Champions Honors the Memory of Ahmed Faras
The Mohammed VI Foundation of Sports Champions held an emotional tribute ceremony on Friday evening in Mohammedia in memory of the late Ahmed Faras, the former Moroccan international and iconic figure of national football.
Organized in partnership with the Sport and Friendship Association, the event took place on the 40th day following his passing. It was attended by the governor of the Mohammedia prefecture, Adel El Maliki, as well as former internationals, sports officials, and family members of the deceased, who gathered to honor the first Moroccan player to be crowned African Ballon d’Or winner.
On this occasion, the president of the Mohammed VI Foundation of Sports Champions, Chakib Benmoussa, told the press: “The late Ahmed Faras was not only an exceptional player but also a moral reference, a man in whom humility and talent were inseparable. He will forever remain a role model for younger generations.” He also recalled the mission of the Foundation, which provides various forms of support to champions who have proudly represented Morocco.
For his part, Saïd Benmansour, president of the Sport and Friendship Association, said with deep emotion: “Tonight, we are not only honoring a player, but a true national legend. Faras embodied elegance, loyalty, and love for the jersey. He was an authentic icon of football.”
Former international and teammate of the late star, Saïd Ghandi, described Ahmed Faras as “a calm man with rare tactical vision. On and off the pitch, he was a balanced, firm, and truly charismatic leader.”
Issam Faras, son of the deceased, expressed his deep gratitude to the organizers and all participants, noting that his father “carried within him immense love for Morocco and for football. This moment is a source of great pride for our family. Thank you, Morocco, for this tribute that goes beyond words.”
The ceremony featured moving testimonies, video projections highlighting the key moments of Faras’s career, as well as a period of reflection marked by collective Quran recitations and spiritual chants.
Ahmed Faras, former captain of the national team, was one of the architects of the “Atlas Lions’” triumph at the 1976 Africa Cup of Nations. Winner of the African Ballon d’Or in 1975, he played his entire club career with Chabab Mohammedia, with whom he won the Throne Cup twice (1972 and 1975). Twice the league’s top scorer (1969 and 1973), he remains to this day the all-time top scorer in the history of the Moroccan national team.
Translated from Abderrazzak Boussaid’s French article – le7tv
