Northwestern town of Ksar El Kbir organized on Tuesday a homecoming worthy of Moroccan International Achraf Hakimi, who was honored by his home town after the historic world cup campaign.
Fans gathered on midday at the home stadium named after Hakimi, where Ksar El-Kebir fans, young and old , ook a break from their daily lives to cheer for the player’s visit.
A decorated stadium, artworks and flags were prepared to welcome the World Cup sensation, Hakimi who played a major part in leading the Atlas lions to a historic fourth place December last year.
“We gathered the town, everyone stopped their jobs, schools closed, just to come and see this heroe and show the pride of our town that always brought champions to our country,” Mustapha Tajimi, 38, described this event to Hespress EN.
The event saw the organisation of many activities, from the acrobats showcases to the tribute game played at the stadium, Rachid Taoussi, Jawad Zairi among other Moroccan sports professionals took part in the celebratory events.
The town’s organisation was critiqued by the locals, as many were not able to take seats and a place to witness Hakimi’s welcome. Fans on the stands were quick to express chants of disappointment.
As many stood at the gate of the Stadium, Sanae, 27, told Hespress EN “we are happy to welcome Hakimi, our heroe, he is an example of all the talents of our town and we’re happy for the contribution to the World Cup campaign.”
The town’s officials decided on including all associations and clubs of a wide range of activities, from Martial Arts to Football youth clubs, performances cought the eyes of fans present in Achraf Hakimi Stadium.
Achraf Hakimi arrived after a long wait, accompanied by his friends, as he was escorted to the stadium ground, the masses encircled the town’s hero, cheering and wishing to get a glimpse of the Atlas Lion.
After a presentation from the town’s mayor, Hakimi spoke his words to the enthusiastic crowd “Hello, thank you so much for your reception, I am very happy with what we have achieved,” said the player, stressing that he feels honored by the organization of this tribute, and his hopes to come back again with more achievements.
He concluded his word saying “Dima Maghrib.” (Morocco Forever in Moroccan).
Mokhtar Ghailane, a Moroccan painter commissioned to paint artworks of the Hakimi on the same stadium, told Hespress EN “This is an art I dedicate to the heroe Hakimi and all Atlas Lions who made us proud and showed the world that anything is possible.”
The fans were quick to look for ways to get close to the player, who sat on the pitch taking in this moment of recognition, while some tried to jump the fences containing a passionate Ksar El-Kbir gathering.
Jawad Zairi told Hespress EN after the event “I am happy to see the success of the national team, and I wish this generation and the next to keep working hard, because they can reach higher lengths and maybe in the future be able to win the World Cup.”
The organisation committee made sure to include youth activities of the town, such as the youth association of football.
Manal, 9 year old football player, told Hespress EN “I’m happy to be here and I want to play football because I love it, and I will work hard to be good someday.”
add your comment
Terms of publication : Not to offend the writer, people, sacred things, or attack religions or the divine self, and refrain from racist incitement and insults.