HIBAPRESS – Khalil Fezazi
The city of Smara is preparing to host the first edition of the Unity Day International Tournament in women's handball, which will take place from October 28 to 31, 2026.
This major sporting event will see significant participation from national teams representing Morocco, the United States of America, Canada, and Benin, as part of the activities commemorating the first anniversary of Unity Day.
This international sports event is organized under the high patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, initiated by the Royal Moroccan Handball Federation, in partnership and coordination with the local authorities of the Smara province. This is in implementation of an ambitious celebratory program aimed at enhancing the sporting radiance of the province and consolidating its openness to continental and international sporting experiences.
This sporting festival offers a unique opportunity for strong competition and interaction with diverse women's handball schools, contributing to the exchange of technical and tactical expertise among players, as well as strengthening bonds of communication and sports and cultural rapprochement between the participating countries.
In this context, the participation of the Benin national team is of great strategic importance, as it is part of the serious preparations for upcoming continental challenges, most notably the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in handball, according to what the Benin Handball Federation confirmed on its official website.
The organization of this tournament is part of a rich package of sports, cultural, artistic, and religious activities and events hosted by the city of Smara throughout the current month of October, alongside purposeful initiatives targeting various segments of society, especially children and youth.
Hosting this international competition is expected to give a strong impetus to the city of Smara to enhance its presence on the national and continental sports map, highlight its high organizational capabilities, in addition to encouraging women's sports and creating a broad space for fair competition and exchange of expertise among the guest teams.
The organization of the Unity Day International Tournament for women's handball confirms the city of Smara's ability to integrate the celebration of major national occasions with support for the sports sector, and to consolidate its position as a growing hub for hosting and organizing significant international events.
