Rabat to Host 10th Moulay El Hassan Para Athletics Grand Prix
Rabat – Rabat is set to become a global hub for para athletics as it hosts the 10th edition of the Moulay El Hassan Para Athletics Grand Prix from April 23 to 25 at the Olympic Stadium of Rabat.
The international event will bring together around 500 athletes representing 58 countries, competing in one of the key stages of the World Para Athletics Grand Prix circuit. The competition is held in partnership with Morocco’s Ministry of National Education, Preschool, and Sports.
This year’s edition carries added importance as athletes aim to secure qualifying standards for the 2028 Paralympic Games. According to the head of the Royal Moroccan Federation of Sports for Persons with Disabilities (FRMSPSH), Hamid El Aouni, the timing of the event within the qualification period is expected to attract top-tier international competitors.
For the first time, the Grand Prix will be staged in Rabat, after previous editions were held in Marrakech. The modern facilities of the Olympic Stadium are expected to enhance performance conditions and draw elite athletes seeking high-level results.
The event’s program
The event will also feature a range of parallel activities. These include a specialized training course in medical classification for para athletics, as well as a scientific conference on April 21 and 22. The conference will gather international experts to discuss performance optimization, sports medicine, psychology, nutrition, and advanced training methods.
Educational outreach is also part of the program, with awareness workshops organized for students to introduce them to para sports and promote inclusion.
A multinational competition
Technical director Mounir Sahnoun pointed to the presence of leading athletes from countries such as Brazil, Japan, China, and Tunisia, alongside a Moroccan team that has built a strong international reputation. He emphasized that Morocco aims to retain the top spot in the medal standings, following its success in the previous edition.
In line with a long-term development strategy, the Moroccan squad will include younger athletes in the U-17 and U-20 categories, offering them valuable international exposure.
The event will mobilize significant human resources, including around 100 referees, 100 organizers, 150 volunteers, and 15 medical staff. The competition program features approximately 120 events across running, jumping, and throwing disciplines, covering various categories of physical, visual, and intellectual impairments.
Morocco heads into this edition as the defending champion, having topped the medal table in 2025 with 36 medals (10 gold, 14 silver, and 12 bronze), ahead of Kenya and Saudi Arabia.
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