The absence of convened meetings by the special committee overseeing the Mohammed V Sports Complex has hindered progress on the renovation works, impacting the esteemed sports facility.
Sources reveal that the committee has yet to hold its planned sessions, which has had a noticeable effect on the scheduled maintenance of this sporting landmark.
Reports from reliable sources indicate that despite being closed for over two months, renovation work at the sports complex has not commenced.
This delay has, in turn, exacerbated challenges for the capital’s two football powerhouses, Raja and Wydad Casablanca, particularly in financial terms due to the absence of matchday revenues.
The closure without the initiation of renovation activities has contributed to financial hardships for both Raja and Wydad, given the inability to generate income from match attendance.
The delay in the rehabilitation process by the National Company for the Development and Management of Sports Facilities (SONARGES), tasked by the Casablanca Municipal Council for this mission, has forced fans to travel to Mohammedia or Berrechid, where the two teams currently host their league matches.
Despite the passage of three months since the closure of the stadium, work is yet to commence, according to statements from municipal council members.
This situation necessitates intervention from the Governor of the Casablanca-Settat region and the head of the municipal council to investigate the causes of the delay.
In an exceptional session held in July last year, the Casablanca municipal council allocated approximately MAD 25 billion for the rehabilitation of the Mohammed V Complex.
The responsibility was entrusted to SONARGES after terminating a partnership agreement with the local development company “Casablanca for Revitalization and Events.”
The closure of the “Donor” sports complex aims to refurbish and repair it, ensuring its readiness to host matches for the Africa Cup of Nations scheduled to be held in Morocco in 2025.
The urgency of the situation demands swift action to address the delay and guarantee the timely completion of the vital sporting venue’s rehabilitation.
