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Since 2016, two factions have been vying for control of the Royal Moroccan Badminton Federation (FRMBA). In 2018, the courts ruled in favor of the list led by Marouane Bichi. In 2020, an appeal allowed him to reclaim the federation's headquarters, which his predecessor had been forced to vacate. Today, professional badminton players continue to decry the ongoing crisis.
Two weeks ago, Mohamed El Ghouat, president of the Golden Shuttlecock Badminton Association in Marrakech, posted a video criticizing the existence of «two federations» and the unresolved dispute. Despite multiple attempts to reach him on Wednesday, the former player and referee remained unavailable for comment.
Driss Bourroum, a professional player based in France but representing Morocco internationally, also released a video calling for the crisis to be resolved through a general assembly. He reminded viewers that the situation led to the suspension of the FRMBA's membership by the international badminton body in 2021.
Players competing under a neutral flag
Driss Bourroum, the first athlete to secure a continental title for Morocco in badminton, was unable to display the national flag at the 2025 African Badminton Championships in Douala, where he won a bronze medal. He recalls this moment as particularly «difficult».
«In 2023, some athletes, including myself, were given a waiver to compete under a neutral (white) flag, but this decision was very hard. It means competing without our national anthem on the podium. Referees, on the other hand, are completely excluded», he said on Wednesday.
«I am trying to facilitate a solution through mediation or mutual agreement, but as an athlete, I cannot take on a role that is not mine», he added.
«We are several players publicly addressing this issue. We’ve made videos on social media. We’re all in the same boat and believe that a concerted solution will benefit everyone».
FRMBA President's response
Marouane Bichi, president of the FRMBA, assured Yabiladi that «the general assembly will be held with the presence of the 54 clubs and federation members, including those who have voiced criticisms». According to documents seen by Yabiladi, the meeting was postponed and later canceled, awaiting the inclusion of an audit report and necessary documents, such as activity and financial reports.
«We are now waiting for the ministry's authorization. As soon as we receive it, we will organize the assembly immediately», Bichi reassured. «Following this assembly, we expect the international membership freeze to be lifted», he added.
FRMBA considers disciplinary measures
Bichi insists that «if there is a dispute, it is not financial. For the past nine years, the federation has not received public support». He explains that the FRMBA «operates on its own resources and on a voluntary basis, with the sole aim of promoting badminton in Morocco». «We have no regular patron or sponsor, but we do have competent human resources trained at the highest level», he stated.
Addressing past internal conflicts, Bichi clarified that «there are not two royal federations for the same discipline. What exists is a conflict between administrative offices». He pointed out that «the courts ruled in our favor in 2018, and the court documents confirm this, as do our regular correspondences with the supervisory ministry».
«We have noted recent public statements from certain parties, alleging inaccuracies that could lead to disciplinary proceedings or even legal action. It is up to the courts to verify the validity of statements made by entities discussing a situation before their membership in the federation, and who are far removed from the sporting context. Our young players and referees have been affected, with attempts to incite them to change nationality».
Bichi further stated that he is ready to address any potential shortcomings. «Have any complaints been made to us? I suspect this is mainly an attempt by certain parties who wanted to join the administrative office but were rejected for objective eligibility reasons, which we clearly explained to them. In response, we’ve had to deal with FRMBA members falsely claiming international arbitration. I am confident that justice will prevail», Marouane Bichi concluded.
