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Moroccans living in Ringsted, a city located centrally in the Danish island of Zealand, are at the heart of a success story, practicing Martial Arts which is for them an affective tool to integrate in the Scandinavian country.
These Moroccans who are originally from the southern provinces of the kingdom, have distiguished themselves by playing Muai Thai, K1, Kickboxing and full-contact.
«Out of nine athletes that have participated to the latest championship played on the 2nd of December in Rungsted, eight of us were named champions, among 400 participants from the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy, Germany, and Denmark of course», said Mohamed Oublaid, coach of the Moroccan team, who plays for Ringsted Muai Thai (RMT).
«This is the modest harvest of intense work that began more than a decade ago. Each trophy tells a fight, each belt is the result of long days of effort and sweat», added Mr. Oublaid.
This 38-year-old Ringsted native explained how he succumbed at the age of 13 to the charm of the ring practicing the sport with his fellow countryman who lived in Roskilde, about thirty kilometers away from the city. «Sport is first and foremost a passion. After all, with Martial Arts you learn discipline and respect», said Mohamed.
«The energy of these athletes and their unfailing commitment fundamentally changed the prejudices about the integration capacity of young people from migranst», sadi Hakima Lakhrissi, an actress. «Because of my work and my contacts with the Danish authorities locally, I can assure you that the work of these young people is highly appreciated. Sport is a powerful tool for integration that allows them to move away from delinquency».
