The recent legislative elections in Morocco, held on September 23, 2026, have seen a notable presence of sports personalities among the winners. One of the most prominent figures is Mustafa Lakhous, a former world champion in kickboxing, who secured a seat in the House of Representatives with 19,608 votes in the Sefrou constituency. Lakhous ran under the banner of the Social Democratic Movement and garnered a significant lead over his closest competitors.
Mehdi Ben Said, the Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, and president of the Union Yacoub El Mansour sports club, has also successfully defended his parliamentary seat. Ben Said, who ran in the Rabat-Mohammedia constituency, secured 7,386 votes, making him the top contender in the district. His win is seen as a significant achievement, given his multiple roles in government, politics, and sports administration.
Mohamed Joudar, president of the Casablanca Football League and deputy president of the Royal Moroccan Football Federation, has retained his seat in the legislative assembly. Joudar, who ran in the Ibn Misk constituency, secured 8,331 votes, surpassing his closest rivals. His continued presence in politics underscores the intersection of sports and governance in Morocco.
Hicham Ait Mana, former president of the Wydad Athletic Club and Raja CA, has also managed to retain his parliamentary seat. Ait Mana, who ran in the Mohammedia constituency under the National Rally of Independents, secured 7,166 votes. His win is notable, given the competitive nature of the constituency and his background in sports administration.
Hakim Ben Abdallah, president of the Nahdat Berkane sports club, has maintained his seat in the House of Representatives. Ben Abdallah, who ran in the Berkane constituency under the Independence Party, secured the second position with 8,656 votes. His continued presence in politics highlights the active role of sports personalities in Moroccan governance.
Hassan Filali, president of the Union Zemamra sports club, has successfully defended his parliamentary seat. Filali, who ran in the Tiflet-Ramani constituency under the National Rally of Independents, leveraged his previous experience in politics and his organizational role in the Khmissat province. His win underscores the significance of sports figures in Moroccan politics.
The participation of sports personalities in Moroccan politics has been a notable trend in recent elections. Figures such as Lakhous, Ben Said, Joudar, Ait Mana, Ben Abdallah, and Filali have demonstrated that their influence and popularity in the sports arena can translate into successful political careers. Their wins reflect a broader intersection of sports and governance in Morocco.
Key points
- Several Moroccan sports personalities have won seats in the legislative elections, marking a significant presence of athletes in politics.
- Mustafa Lakhous, a former world champion in kickboxing, secured a seat in the House of Representatives with a significant lead in the Sefrou constituency.
- The participation of sports personalities in Moroccan politics highlights the intersection of sports and governance in the country.
