HIBAPRESS
From the eighth to the tenth of May, the "Marchica Lagoon Resort" will open its doors to host the "Marchica Cup for E-Foil Sports – 2026 World Cup for the Flying Water Board" (SFT Surf Foil World Tour E-Foil World Cup 2026).
This event is the first world cup of its kind to be held on African soil, thus forming an unprecedented historical mark, not only for the Kingdom of Morocco, but for the entire Black Continent. In this global arena, in the city of Nador, the elite of local and international competitors will gather to compete in a burgeoning sport that intersects at its core advanced technology with the magic of marine sports.
This stop, included in the official record of the "Surf Foil World Tour 2026", occupies the third meeting dedicated to this sport within the global tour for the year 2026, following the "Düsseldorf" and "Locat" German stops. It thus translates a radical transformation in contemporary maritime practices, and consecrates the opening of this tour to new geographical horizons that are promising.
This sporting event, in its essence and purposes, is in line with the sound vision and forward-looking view of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God protect him, who gives the integrated development of the regions a prominent place among national priorities. By valuing the "Marchica" lake as a strategic space where economic, tourism and cultural tributaries meet, this event contributes to consolidating the Mediterranean roots of the Kingdom, making this marine facade a real lever for growth, and a beacon for openness and cross-border radiation.
With a pioneering initiative from the "Marchica Lagoon" resort and the "E-Foil Morocco" company, and in the framework of a firm coordination with the Global Association of Water Boards Sports (GFA) and the Surf Foil World Tour, this exceptional event sees the light with sustained support from the Marchica Lake Site Development Agency, Marchica Med Company, the Moroccan National Tourist Office (ONMT), and the Regional Tourism Council of the Oriental Region as platinum partners. It is also supported by a group of distinguished gold partners, including: "Petrom", "Red Bull", "Lavazza", "Igloo", and "Link & Co". The ultimate goal behind this event is to establish the foundations of a sustainable positioning for the city of Nador, along with local and international partners, to take its natural place among the ranks of destinations capable of hosting major international competitions of the modern generation.
A territorial space in the height of its brilliance and confirmation of its international presence
The selection of the city of Nador and the "Marchica" lake was not a coincidence, but rather a vivid embodiment of a dynamic of a territorial transformation of profound impact and significance. This destination, whose star shines brightly on the Mediterranean coast, enjoys a unique natural ecosystem, infrastructure that witnesses a rapid development leap, in addition to an easy strategic access that connects it to the Old Continent.
In addition to its own qualities, the "Marchica" lake imposes itself today as an exceptional stage for expressing the latest innovative water sports, where the ideal technical conditions combine with the magic of the pristine natural environment carefully preserved.
In this context, Mr. Tariq Al-Kardoudi, Commercial and Marketing Director of "Marchica Lagoon" resort, said: "Hosting an event of this momentum in the embrace of our resort, translates a firm ambition that aims to include 'Marchica Lagoon Resort', permanently, among the golden record of major international tourist and sports destinations. This dynamic contributes a generous share in the radiation of the entire region, and enhances its attractiveness at both the economic and tourism levels."
The "E-Foil": an iconic sports specialization that embodies the revolution of modern practices
The sport of "E-Foil" embodies a pioneering generation of water skiing. Thanks to a board equipped with an electric motor and a submerged fin, the competitor can glide smoothly over the surface of the water, giving him a unique experience, characterized by calm and complete liberation from the constraints of the wind and the fluctuations of the waves. Perhaps this dimension that brilliantly combines technological genius and refined sensations is what explains the accelerating tide and the wide spread of this sport in various parts of the world.
For his part, Mr. Faisal Kannoun, General Manager of "E-Foil Morocco", confirmed, indicating: "The inclusion of the city of Nador in the orbit of the 'Surf Foil World Tour' clearly reflects the tour's will to extend its wings towards rising countries that are generous with exceptional conditions. And here is Morocco today imposing its place, as an inevitable destination, at the heart of this expansionary dynamic."
Competition governed by rigor, and an experience that touches comprehensiveness
The wheel of this competition will spin over a period of three days, according to a solid structural format that reconciles sports rigor and ease of follow-up by the public. After completing the reception and preparation phase, the competitors will be involved in qualifying stages governed by the clock, before the competition intensifies in the final rounds according to the direct elimination system.
With a total financial envelope of 100,000 Moroccan dirhams, this event will bring together different categories of competitors, promising them to provide performance levels that are very refined.
The "Marchica Lagoon Water Sports Festival" has been designed to be an immersive and complete experience, which will present a full program interspersed with official ceremonies, cultural touches, and moments of socializing and exchange. The spaces of "Marchica Lagoon Resort" and the city of "Atalayoun" will host the stages of this event, thus providing an exceptional environment that rises to the standards adopted in the most prestigious international forums.
A pivotal stop to enhance the cultural radiance of the Kingdom
Thanks to its strategic location, unique format, and vibrant ambition, the "Marchica Lagoon Water Sports Festival" transcends the narrow scope of pure sports competition, and engages in a deeper and more comprehensive process that seeks to enhance the cultural radiance of the Kingdom of Morocco, and to enhance its territorial capabilities, and to keep pace with the emergence of modern sports practices on the international scene.
With the inauguration of this founding edition, the city of Nador confirms its position as a new beacon attracting major competitions in water sports, centered at the crossroads where sport, the spirit of innovation, and spatial attractiveness meet.
