23/09/2026
🇲🇦🤝🇮🇪 Strengthening Morocco–Ireland Cooperation Through Sport
H.E. Dr Lahcen Mahraoui, ambassador of the kingdom of Morocco to Ireland, held this morning a meeting with Mohamed Amine Zariat, President and Founder of Tibu Africa, and Hamid Bouzit, Sports Diplomacy Officer at Tibu Africa, during their visit to Ireland.
Tibu Africa is a pioneering Moroccan NGO that uses sport as a powerful tool for education, social and economic inclusion, youth and women’s empowerment, and sustainable development. Through impactful programmes, Tibu Africa supports children, young people and vulnerable communities in developing their skills, employability and leadership.
Their visit to Ireland took place in the context of Tibu Africa’s participation in the EU Presidency Conference on Traditional Sports and Games at Croke Park, as well as the European Week of Sport. It also provided an opportunity to engage with key Irish and European sports institutions and explore new avenues for cooperation and future partnerships.
During their visit, the Tibu Africa representatives met with:
🇮🇪 HE Patrick O'Donovan TD, Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport of Ireland
🇮🇪 Charlie McConalogue TD, Minister of State for Sport and Postal Policy
🇪🇺 Jacqueline Kronenburg, TAFISA Vice-President Europe and representative of the Knowledge Centre for Sport & Physical Activity of the Netherlands
🇮🇪 Dr Úna May, CEO of Sport Ireland
🇪🇺 Georg Häusler, Director for Culture, Creativity and Sport, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC), European Commission
The Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco extends its sincere thanks to H.E. Helena Nolan, Ambassador of Ireland to Morocco, for her support and for facilitating this visit, which contributed to strengthening people-to-people ties and cooperation between Morocco and Ireland through sport.
These engagements highlight the growing role of sport as a driver of inclusion, youth empowerment, sustainable development and international cooperation, while contributing to stronger links between Morocco, Ireland and European partners.