Paris-Dakar Rally to arrive in Morocco in January

The vehicles involved in the 2006 edition of the Paris-Dakar Rally will disembark in Nador on Jan 1. All the necessary measures, such as reception and lodging, have been taken to ensure the smooth running of the first phase of this important sporting event. This stage will see drivers travel from Nador to Errachidia.

A camp has been set up near the Errachidia airport to welcome, feed and brief the participants. Some 350 press and TV journalists will provide a large coverage of this event; which has not only a sporting aspect but also constitutes an opportunity for promoting tourism. In this respect, the relevant departments of the province of Errachidia have designed exhibitions of agricultural, craft and touristic products. An evening's entertainment starring the local folklore groups is also scheduled.

It can be recalled that FranceTélévision, the official Paris-Dakar partner, sent a team of journalists to Morocco from Nov 7-22, to provide reports on the country, in particular on Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Azilal, Essaouira, Agadir and Ouzarzazate. The Rally organizers have confirmed that the 40-minute programmes will be broadcast on France 2 or France 3 during the days that the Rally goes through Morocco.

This 28th edition of the Paris-Dakar Rally will leave the kingdom on Jan 5, via Smara, on its way to Mauritania.

source: MoroccoTimes.com