Casablanca Opens First Indoor Sports Hall for Football Icon

Casablanca finally has an indoor sports hall, and it bears the name of one of Morocco's greatest football heroes.

The Abdelmajid Dolmy indoor sports hall opened Saturday in the Aïn Chock district, marking a milestone for Morocco's largest city. Local officials, former football stars, and Dolmy's family gathered to celebrate the legacy of the player who helped secure Morocco's 1976 African Cup of Nations victory.

Abdellatif Naciri, vice president of the Casablanca Municipal Council, emphasized the significance of the first facility of its kind in the city. The hall will host competitions and training programs aimed at getting young people active and connected to their community.

Former Moroccan international Mustapha El Haddaoui called Dolmy "a man of noble values and great humanity." He said naming the hall after Dolmy sends a powerful message about recognizing those who represented Morocco with honor both on and off the field.

The venue addresses a real need in Casablanca, giving young athletes a proper space to train and compete regardless of weather. It creates opportunities for kids who might not otherwise have access to quality sports facilities.

The Ripple Effect

The impact extends beyond just one neighborhood. Former player Sami Tajeddine urged other Moroccan cities to follow Casablanca's lead, suggesting that honoring sports legends through functional facilities serves a dual purpose: preserving the nation's athletic heritage while giving youth tangible spaces to pursue their own dreams.

The approach transforms remembrance into something living and active. Instead of just a plaque or statue, young people can literally walk in Dolmy's footsteps, training where his name inspires them daily.

The inauguration featured a friendly match between former Moroccan national team players and alumni from local clubs Raja and Wydad, bringing together generations of athletes. The celebration showed how sports can unite communities across age groups and team loyalties.

For a city that has produced countless football talents, having a dedicated indoor facility means year round development opportunities that weren't available before.

The hall stands as proof that honoring the past and investing in the future aren't separate goals but two sides of the same commitment to community.