SPORTS AND RECREATION

Football, or soccer, is by far the most popular spectator sport. The game was originally introduced by French colonists. The sport is enjoyed by Moroccans of all ages. It is common to see children playing soccer on the street. The largest stadiums are found in Casablanca and Rabat. Whenever there is a big match, the streets are deserted because everyone is indoors watching the game on television. Many men like to watch in the local cafés. In 1970, Morocco was the first African nation to play in the World Cup. The national team is called "The Lions of the Atlas."
Since the early 1980s, track and field has become the second most popular sport in the country. Moroccan champions include Hicham El Guerrouj, who set a world record for the 1,500-metre race in 1998, and Nezha Bidouane, the women’s world champion in the 400-metre hurdles. Morocco has also produced several excellent tennis players. Younes el Aynaoui, Karim Alami and Hicham Arazi have competed at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open tournaments.
The popularity of golf is growing. There is a Moroccan Federation for Golf, and the honorary president is the King. The late King Hassan II, an avid golfer, created one of the most coveted tournament prizes, known as the Hassan II Challenge Cup. Another popular sport is rowing; there are several rowing clubs that hold annual regattas in the Atlantic coast cities of Rabat and Casablanca. Car rallying is also a favourite sport, and the Atlas Rally through Spain and Morocco is an important international event.
Many Moroccans like to spend their free time talking and socializing with friends and family. Men frequent cafés where they smoke, drink coffee or sweet mint tea and talk about local affairs. Most women socialize in their homes, although visiting the hammam (public steam bath) is often considered a social activity. The steam rooms are heated by burning wood shavings. Men and women bathe separately.	Did you know? Le Marathon des Sables, or desert marathon, is one of the toughest foot races in the world. It lasts seven days and covers almost 250 kilometres of sand dunes and rocky desert. About 300 participants come from around the world to take part. They must carry everything they need for the week, including food.