Yes, American Football is being played on the african continent and we,
Team Morocco, are only one game away from a World Cup qualification.
This would be a historical moment: We would be the first African team to attend
the most prestigious global event in American Football. Participating would provide us with the necessary momentum to promote and develop the sport in the region.
Have you seen
“Cool Runnings”? Well, this is a similar story, except we are not the Jamaican bobsleigh
team, just Moroccans playing American Football.
Our Story:
“It always seems impossible until it’s
done” Nelson Mandela
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First Team Morocco gathering, Jan 2013
Morocco is one of the first countries to bring the game of
American Football to the African continent and has since become a leader in its regional
development. Today, Team Morocco, has a unique opportunity to represent Africa in the 2015 World Cup taking place in Sweden but we cannot do this alone.
My name is Ahmed
Ben El Cadi, ANMFA’s president. Growing up in Morocco, I was I was marked by the lack of diversity in sport provision, everyone seemed to play football/soccer and there were few opportunities
for other sports. I moved to France to study and was introduced to American Football, a
sport which quickly grew on me.
In early 2012,
while still playing I was contacted by Akram El Janati a Moroccan QB in Spain. His message was simple “Why not make Morocco a country of American Football?”
Two years and a
half later, here we are asking for your help to continue our journey. We have
worked hard to get here. We are a young association, but we know where we want to go, we have what it takes and most importantly, we are working to give back to our community.
What we have achieved so far:
“It’s not whether you get knocked down,
it’s whether you get up .” Vince Lombardi
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Step by step, despite many obstacles, ANMFA has managed to:
- Structure American Football in Morocco
-
Unite all
the Moroccan players around the world.
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Introduce the sport to the local community
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Put together a competitive national team.
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Get International recognition
-
Build a
shared a vision.Nothing would have
been possible without the dedication of young Moroccan football players who
decided to do what others thought was impossible. This group of individuals gave
up their free time to put all their energy and little financial means to bring
us where we are today. Unfortunately, we have reached a point where our efforts
are not enough.
Why Team Morocco needs your help to reach the qualifier and write
history on December 13th, 2014 in Cairo, Egypt
“From the summit of yonder pyramids forty
centuries look down upon you...” Napoléon
This will be the first game between two African countries in the history
of American Football, a game which promises to be filled with emotion
and energy.
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Taking part in
such an event comes with considerable costs. Although members of ANMFA have
already made numerous personal contributions, as a volunteer based organisation
we need financial support in order to meet the costs implied by our
participation.
Indeed
participating means:
- 400$ – Average travel cost to Egypt per player (x45
players) and staff members (x12)
- 650$ – Entry fee to the qualification game (requirement)
- 1500$ – Average travel costs of three game officials
(IFAF requirement)
- 6500$ – Final tournament entry fee
(requirement)
To this day,
players and the volunteers had been paying for all their expenses (transportation,
food, accommodation) because we believe in our vision. However, this time, it
is not possible for us anymore. This time, we need support to cover these
expenses.
We are so grateful
for any contribution and have thus, organised a variety of ways to thank you
for being part of the team and contributing to our dream. We offer basic things
such as insight in the preparations and game via a secret Instagram access code
to the very unique game ball!
The Impact
“No one knows for
certain how much impact they have on the lives of other people. Oftentimes, we
have no clue. Yet we push it just the same.” Jay Asher
The Impact of our
project goes far beyond American Football and Morocco. By supporting us, you not only help Moroccans and
Africans get access to the sport you also offer them the opportunity to gain
true values. By supporting this project, you will help us send the message that
a small group of committed young people can make the difference in African and Arab
countries. ANMFA is now inspiring many other African countries to go on the
field and start the sport there as well. Algeria, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Cameroun… There is a true dynamic going on and a bright future
unfolding before our eyes, help us make history today. Donate what you can
there is no donation too small, we are grateful for all donations.
Other ways you can help
“Life's most
persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?’” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Other than
financially, you can contribute in many ways to this exciting project:
-
You can
share this page, talk about us.
-
You can volunteer
for ANMFA; we need coaches, players, supporters, promotion, sponsors
(equipment, airline etc.).
We have achieved
something, but we can still do so much more with a little help… What are you
waiting for? Join us and let's play ball! #MoroccotoStockholm2015
