At just ten years old, Yasmine Eythrib's quiet fascination with billiards at a local club in Casablanca blossomed into a remarkable career, culminating in her historic win of two Arab titles in Egypt. Despite the lack of a national federation and the challenges of a male-dominated sport, Yasmine's journey from early defeats to becoming an African and Arab champion underscores her relentless dedication and the urgent need for structural support in Moroccan billiards. When Yasmine Eythrib was ten years old, the Casablanca native would often accompany her father and older brother to a local billiards club. She'd bring her schoolwork, sit quietly in a corner, and watch them play. As her pen moved across her notebook, her eyes followed the cue ball, the angles, and the rhythm of every shot. That quiet fascination would soon evolve into something much deeper, a passion that set her apart. While other children played in parks, Yasmine was unknowingly studying strategy, focus, and precision. From defeat to triumph As she grew older, Yasmine's passion began to take shape. «My father loved billiards, and my older brother was a national champion before stepping away for personal reasons», she told Yabiladi. «He's the reason I entered this world at 13». By 17, Yasmine was competing professionally; by 19, she had joined her first national tournament, a milestone that greatly boosted her confidence. While diving into the competitive world, she was also building a professional future beyond the game, studying graphic design and digital marketing. Today, she works at an advertising agency, striving to balance two very different worlds. The journey wasn't easy, her family was initially reluctant to see her enter this field, except for her brother, who supported her from the start. «I was young, and my parents were afraid I'd neglect my studies, especially since I kept losing my first matches, which made things harder», she recalled. But those early defeats didn't discourage her, they only pushed her to train harder. Over time, her family's outlook shifted as she grew stronger, and soon everyone began cheering her on. Her first major appearance came at the African Championship in Casablanca at the age of 19. She lost that day, a disappointment she still remembers vividly, but her brother was there to console her and urge her to keep going. She redoubled her efforts and, in 2023, took second place, becoming runner-up of the African Championship. That achievement gave her momentum. She went on to secure runner-up again in 2024, before finally claiming the African Champion title in 2025, the culmination of years of dedication. Lack of sports structure: The Biggest challenge Yet, her success highlights a deeper issue: the absence of an official billiards federation in Morocco. Yasmine explained that the country has lacked such a governing body for years, though discussions about re-establishing one are underway. In the meantime, specialized associations and academies organize national tournaments and serve as the main training spaces for players. «The absence of a federation makes international participation complicated and costly», she said. «Players have to finance their own travel and tournament fees. We're left with two options: either pay everything ourselves out of passion for the game, or rely on associations that can help if they have the right connections». That support recently came from Moulay Cherif Zine El Abidine, President of the National Billiards and Snooker Association, who covered Yasmine's travel expenses and helped her secure approval to compete under the Arab Federation's banner. This month, Yasmine Eythrib achieved a historic milestone in Egypt, winning two Arab titles, in the 9-ball and 10-ball competitions, at the Arab Billiards Championship, where she faced seasoned professionals with years of experience. «I felt a lot of pressure», she recalled, «especially facing a player from Bahrain who had been crowned Arab champion for several consecutive years». Competing in the tournament for the first time, Yasmine was relatively unknown among participants. «Some players only knew me as the African snooker champion, not a billiards player», she said. «But I managed to surprise everyone with my victory». The Moroccan champion described the moment as «extraordinary, not just because of the win, but because I'm the first Moroccan to ever claim both titles». Behind her trophies, however, lay other, tougher battles, those against social perceptions. Yasmine explained that billiards is still viewed as a male-dominated sport, and she had to endure many comments growing up. Having her brother by her side helped shield her, but the environment wasn't always welcoming. «When I started, the idea of a girl in clubs or academies wasn't well accepted», she said. «But that's slowly changing, thanks to the achievements women are making». Today, more women of different ages are entering the sport, a shift Yasmine calls hard-earned after years of perseverance and resistance. Her dream now goes beyond personal glory. Yasmine hopes to see the creation of a Moroccan federation dedicated to billiards, to help professional players represent the country internationally. «We have the talent», she said, «but too often we can't participate because of the high costs, unlike in other countries where players receive proper support».
