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Morocco’s Grand Casablanca Stadium wins architecture contest

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Morocco’s Grand Casablanca Stadium, which is one of the stadia built for the 2030 world cup, has won a world architecture contest.

 

The consortium which designed the spectacular edifice led by Moroccan architect, Tarik Oualalou, won the architecture competition for the future Grand Casablanca Stadium, beating 12 other contestants to the gong.

 

Moroccan authorities had preselected the 12 candidates after reviewing technical and administrative files, including Populous Ltd, a British agency with world-renowned stadium projects, and ME Engineers Ltd, a global leader in sports design and lighting.

 

“Of the 12 candidates who had applied for the design, technical study and supervision of the construction of the Grand Stade de Casablanca, the National Company for the Production and Management of Sports Equipment Sonarges had selected seven before the end of this first phase,” the organizers of the contest said on its website.

 

“Australia’s Rider Levett Bucknall and Italy’s Maffeis Engineering SPA, the other members of the selected consortium, have experience with major projects like the Lusail Sports Arena, the United Arab Emirates’ Khalifa Stadium, the Stade de la Meinau in France, and Heathrow International Airport in London.

 

“Tarik Oualalou’s consortium won the contract after proposing a fee rate of 5.70%, which represents an estimated cost of services of approximately MAD 199 million, approximately $20 million.

 

“The Grand Casablanca Stadium will be built in line with the most contemporary regulations of international football, notably the FIFA 2030 criteria,” the statement said.

 

“It is designed to have a maximum seating capacity of 115,000 to serve all mass sports and cultural organizations and events.

 

“Located near Benslimane Airport, the proposed Grand Stade site is 38 kilometers from Casablanca and 18 kilometers from Mohammedia in the commune of Mansouria in the province of Benslimane.

 

“The Grand Stade de Casablanca development deal was signed on October 20, 2018, and the highest estimated budget for the project is MAD 5 billion ($500 million).

 

“Located on an expansive 100-hectare site, the project will include the Grand Stade and its supporting infrastructure, as well as ancillary projects and services. The project may eventually be expanded or redeveloped with the available land.

 

“The stadium will include a FIFA-approved grass pitch, covered stands with a capacity of 115,000 seats, as well as ancillary facilities for athletes, officials, operators, organizers, and spectators.

 

“In addition to these features, the project also includes the construction of a public assembly hall, dressing rooms, medical services, media centers, secure parking lots for officials and players, and one area designated for the general public.

 

“Additional facilities include ticketing, accreditation, broadcasting and volunteer centers, as well as four FIFA-approved training pitches and adjacent parking lots.

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Culture

Obama names three African artistes in his Favorite Music list 2024

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In keeping with the tradition of naming his favourite music list of the year, former United States President, Barack Obama, has released his favorite music from 2024, which includes three African artistes.

The Obama Favorite Music list 2024, which he dropped on social media, has Nigerian stars Asake, Rema, and South African Ampiona sensation, Tyla, alongside Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé, amongst other world-renowned stars.

While dropping the list, the former US President wrote:

“Here are my favorite songs from this year! Check them out if you’re looking to shake up your playlist – and let me know if there’s a song or artist I should make sure to listen to.”

The top picks for Obama’s shortlist were Billie Eilish’s “Lunch,” Jordan Adetunji’s “Kehlani,” Tommy Richman’s “Million Dollar Baby,” Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido,” Bonny Light Horseman’s “Old Dutch,” Central Cee, Asake’s “Active,” Lil Baby’s “Band4band,” Rema’s “Yayo”, Karol G’s “Si Antes Te Hubiera Conocido” and “Gata Only” by FloyyMenor and Cris MJ.
and more.

The Obama Favorite Music of 2024 list also showcased a vibrant mix of genres and artists, reflecting his diverse musical preferences, spanning hip-hop, R&B, jazz, and reggaeton, showcasing his appreciation for a variety of musical styles.

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Culture

Moroccan tourist arrivals hit record-breaking 16 million

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The year 2024 has seen Morocco celebrate a record-breaking 16 million tourist arrivals, surpassing the 12 million mark set in 2023, with the country continuing to see impressive growth in tourist arrivals.

Data from the country’s Ministry of Tourism, the Directorate of Studies and Financial Forecasts (DEPF) reveals that additional indicators reveal that the sector reached remarkable numbers in just 10 months, surpassing the total number of arrivals typically seen in a full year.

According to the new details from the directorate, which is affiliated to the Ministry of Economy, the country’s tourism revenues reached MAD 96.9 billion by the end of October, an increase of 9.3% compared to the same period last year.

A statement by the Ministry said
Morocco notably reached a new record of 14.6 million tourists by the end of October, the directorate indicated, noting that this far surpassed the previous record set at the end of 2023 in just 10 months.

“The number marks a 19% increase year on year, representing 2.3 million additional arrivals by the end of October 2024,” it said.

“This remarkable growth is driven both by foreign tourists, whose numbers have increased by 22%, and Moroccans living abroad.

“This past October was an especially strong month for the Moroccan hospitality industry. Approximately 1.5 million visitors traveled to the North African country during that month, representing an increase of 30% compared to October last year,” it stated.

The Ministry of Tourism celebrated the upward trend during a meeting of the Moroccan National Tourism’s Board of Directors held on Monday, with data showing that the North African country saw a record 15.87 million visitors by the end of November, marking a 20% increase while tourism revenues soared to MAD 97 billion.

“The sector achieved a growth rate of 19%, higher than the world average of 12% and most competing destinations,” the Moroccan Tourism Office said.

Speaking at the event, Tourism Minister Fatim-Zahra Ammor:

“Our tourism roadmap is bearing fruit and we can now enter the year 24 with confidence and determination.”

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