Latest news with #Moroccan-Dutch
Morocco World
6 days ago
- Sport
- Morocco World
‘They Always Supported Me': Mohamed Ihattaren Chooses Morocco
Doha – Dutch-Moroccan football prodigy Mohamed Ihattaren has officially decided to represent Morocco at the international level. The 23-year-old midfielder, who currently plays for RKC Waalwijk in the Netherlands, announced his decision to switch allegiance after previously representing the Netherlands in youth categories. In an exclusive interview with Dutch media outlet SportNieuwsNL, Ihattaren confirmed his choice. 'Yes, for me, it will now be the Moroccan team. Morocco has always supported me,' he declared, ending years of speculation about his international future. Born on February 12, 2002, in Utrecht to Moroccan parents, Ihattaren holds dual Moroccan-Dutch nationality. He represented the Netherlands in multiple youth categories (U15, U16, U17, U19) but never made an appearance for the Oranje senior team. The talented midfielder was once considered one of Dutch football's brightest prospects. However, his promising career was derailed by both sporting difficulties and off-field problems, including legal issues in the Netherlands that seriously slowed his progress. Several years ago, Ihattaren emerged as a sensation in Dutch football. At just 17, the left-footed midfielder broke through at PSV Eindhoven, quickly becoming the new star of Dutch football. Despite being heavily courted by the Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), he initially chose the Netherlands under Ronald Koeman. At the time, a major announcement was made on the Dutch national team's social media channels, in partnership with his sponsor, Nike. Although called up multiple times to the Netherlands squad, he never officially debuted, spending two Nations League matches on the bench. After a promising start to his career, Ihattaren experienced a serious setback due to depression, a downward spiral, his father's death, alleged connections to criminal groups in the Netherlands, and weight problems. His situation became so dire that he considered retirement after nearly three years without playing football. His career has been marked by a series of club changes without playing time – Juventus, Sampdoria, Ajax, and Slavia Prague – all ending in difficult separations. He faced legal cases in the Netherlands, as he was accused of assault and threatening his ex-girlfriend. Since having his contract terminated by Slavia Prague in April, he had temporarily disappeared from the football radar. Last season, RKC Waalwijk took a chance on reviving his career, which proved relatively successful as he rediscovered his joy for football. He contributed 4 goals and 5 assists in 28 Eredivisie matches. Ihattaren now insists he has turned the page: 'I've found the joy of playing again.' This is encouraging news for those who never doubted his raw talent and still hope to see him shine at the highest level. Back in August 2019, then-Morocco coach Vahid Halilhodzic had already pre-selected him for two friendly matches. Ihattaren did not respond positively at that time. Today, his decision is final. The midfielder was recently spotted attending Glory 100, a kickboxing event where Moroccan-Belgian fighter Jamal Ben Saddik competed. 'I would have liked to see it end differently, but this is also the sports world,' Ihattaren said about Ben Saddik's match against Sofian Laïdouni. 'Sometimes it can end like this. But for me, he remains a winner.' Regarding his club future, Ihattaren remains open to possibilities. 'The Netherlands would be great, but Belgium is also not far from where I currently am. You never know what the future holds in football. The interest must be real, and they need to reach an agreement with my agent. Until then, I'll see what comes my way. I believe every step is the right one for me,' he explained. While he works to stabilize his club situation, his choice to represent Morocco's Atlas Lions could reinvigorate his career. It remains to be seen whether current Morocco coach Walid Regragui will offer him an opportunity in the national team. Tags: Atlas Lionsmohamed ihattarenMoroccan national footbal team
Ya Biladi
19-05-2025
- Business
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan humanitarian's 38-year wheelchair mission threatened in the Netherlands
Mohammed Chaoui, founder of the Tangier Wheelchair Foundation, is at risk of pausing his decades-long mission of collecting and sending refurbished wheelchairs to Morocco. The old Ritmeester cigar factory in Veenendaal (Utrecht), which currently serves as his base, is set to be demolished by July 1 to make way for 170 new homes, reports RTV Utrecht. Since founding the organization in 1986, after meeting a man in Tangier who had never seen a wheelchair, Chaoui has shipped up to 300 wheelchairs and other medical equipment each year to Morocco, including sports wheelchairs for athletes. The Moroccan-Dutch humanitarian has always operated from buildings awaiting demolition in order to keep costs low. With no income from his work and no affordable alternative yet found, he fears he may be forced to halt operations temporarily. Chaoui has appealed to the municipality of Veenendaal for help but has not yet secured a new location. «I am now 65 years old, but as long as I am healthy, I want to keep doing this. But I cannot continue without a building. So I'm really hoping someone has space for me in Veenendaal or just outside», he pleaded.
Ya Biladi
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan-Dutch coaches seek UEFA PRO diploma via Morocco
Moroccan former professional footballer and current Sparta assistant coach Nourdin Boukhari is working to obtain the UEFA PRO diploma through Morocco, after being deemed ineligible for the course in the Netherlands for now. «Yes, I'm trying», Boukhari said on ESPN's Goedemorgen Eredivisie. «I've indicated to the KNVB that I want to do UEFA PRO to get my highest coaching credentials. But to qualify for that, I first have to train a team independently for one year. Only then can I do UEFA PRO with the KNVB». With that requirement standing in his way, Boukhari is turning to the Moroccan Football Federation, which is opening its doors to Moroccan-Dutch coaches based in Europe. «The Moroccan association has indicated that they want to give Moroccan-Dutch trainers in the Netherlands the opportunity to grow as a trainer in Morocco», he said. «They want to arrange that paper for you there. For that, you have to be in Morocco a few times, also be on the field, and then they look at the qualities that you have. They also want to come to the Netherlands a few times. And then there are a lot of online meetings», he explained. He's not alone. Others going through the same process include Saïd Bakkati, Ali Boussaboun, Oussama Assaidi, Karim El Ahmadi, and Khalid Sinouh. «I am trying to complete that as soon as possible», Boukhari said. «But that piece of paper is only valid in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. They are working on making that diploma valid in Europe as well».
Ya Biladi
12-03-2025
- General
- Ya Biladi
Moroccan tree becomes symbol of inclusivity in Dutch park
A Moroccan Atlas cedar was planted in Leiden's Singelpark as part of a symbolic project unveiled yesterday. The cedar, along with a Dutch winter oak and a Turkish hazel tree, forms a triangle in Huigpark intended to connect people and cultures from the three countries. According to Sleutelstad newspaper, the initiative was partly conceived by Moroccan-Dutch councilor Abdelhaq Jermoumi, who oversees inclusivity in the city. Jermoumi collaborated with botanical curator Rinny Kooi on the project, which aims to make the park known to more diverse communities. «Many people in North Leiden don't know what the Singelpark is», Jermoumi stated, hoping the trees will help introduce the park concept to Moroccan and Turkish residents. The tree planting coincides with the 12.5-year anniversary of the citizen initiative behind Singelpark in 2025. While hundreds of thousands of people already use the park annually, organizers believe the symbolic trees will help expand awareness about the inclusive nature of this public space among all of Leiden's communities.
