Moroccan referee Oumaima Smlali won the Best Referee Award at the World Boxing Championship in Serbia. The Moroccan team also saw Widad Bertal win gold and Hasnaa Larti bronze. Bertal dedicated her medal to King Mohammed VI, while federation officials acknowledged the challenges faced during the tournament and expressed hopes for future successes.
Oumaima Smlali, a referee from Morocco, has earned the title of Best Referee at the World Boxing Championship held in Nis, Serbia, from March 9 to 16. The Moroccan Royal Boxing Federation shared this achievement on social media, commending Smlali for her dedication and excellence in the sport. This recognition further highlights Morocco’s achievements at the championship, where Widad Bertal and Hasnaa Larti also excelled, with Bertal winning gold in the 54kg category and Larti securing bronze in the 81kg category.
Following her gold medal victory, Widad Bertal expressed her immense pride and dedicated her accomplishment to King Mohammed VI and the Moroccan people. “This gold medal is for the first sportsman, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan people, and everyone who supported me,” she stated, emphasizing her intentions for future triumphs. Bertal asserted, “This is just the beginning,” reflecting her aspirations for additional titles.
Nabil Hilmi, Vice President of the Royal Moroccan Boxing Federation, praised the performances of the Moroccan boxers and recognized the obstacles they faced during the tournament. He stated, “Winning these medals was not easy, even though our goal was to achieve more,” and mentioned that Morocco nearly secured two additional medals, but encountered significant challenges against ranked competitors. Hilmi expressed optimism for future success for both national teams, stating, “We hope to build on this success and achieve even better results in the future for both the men’s and women’s teams.”
Oumaima Smlali’s recognition as Best Referee at the World Boxing Championship underscores the commitment and excellence of Moroccan officials in boxing. The noteworthy performances of Widad Bertal and Hasnaa Larti, coupled with the challenges acknowledged by the Royal Moroccan Boxing Federation, demonstrate Morocco’s potential on the international sporting stage. The aspirations expressed by the athletes and federation leadership signal a promising future for Moroccan boxing.
Original Source: www.moroccoworldnews.com
