Stade Morocain has emerged as the champion cricket team of Morrocco following a seven team tournament held in Rabat and Tangier in September.

In the final, which was played on the Tangier Cricket Ground presently being considered as a venue for Pakistan's Test matches, Stade Marocain defeated HIST.

In the semi-finals, HIST overhauled Tanmia Sports Association's total of 123, while Stade Marocain 165 defeated Sale Sports Association 144.

A total of 17 matches were played in a tournament conducted on a round-robin basis, intended to give increased opportunities to the players.

Of the seven teams which participated, five were from Rabat and two from Tangier. Morocco's other team, Casablanca, is still relatively inexperienced and it was considered premature to introduce them to competitive matches.

The round-robin games as well as the semi-finals were played in Rabat on a football ground in Moulay Rachid Sports Complexe.

The finishing order afer the round-robin was: .(1) Stade Marocain, (2) HIST, (3) Tanmia Sports Association, (4) Sale Sports Association, (5) Itihad Riyadi Tanger, (6) Fath Sports Union and (7) Yacoub EL Mansour Sports Union.

Iqbal A. Channer took out the individual award as Man of the Final, while Mejati Amine was given the 'Best Batsman' award with Akashi Khalid the Best Bowler. Mohamed Jamil took the Best Fielder plaudit.

The tournament was supervised by former Indian Test all-rounder, Mohinder Armanath, who is also the Moroccan national team coach. He was assisted by Narayan Rao Satham and Surinder Armanath, the resident coaches in Tangier and Rabat respectively.

The trio are also preparing umpires as well as local coaches, who will in time take the place of the three. Additionally, Mohinder and Surinder as well as Narayan Rao Satham were supervising the coaching of 160 boys three times a week from the beginning of April through to September.

The international tournament scheduled to herald the opening of the Tangier ground was postponed after the events of September 11.

It is hoped the purpose built cricket ground in Rabat will be ready by May, together with the pavilion in an area called Sale El Jadida adjacent to Moulay Rachid Sports Complex.

The Moroccan Federation Cricket Committee will be recognised and affiliated to the National Moroccan Sports Associaiton in the near future.

© ICC