The Maccabi Games are seen as Israel’s biggest sporting event , it is also the 3rd largest international event in the world after the Olympics and common wealth games and is also sometimes seen as the “Jewish Olympics”.
The event is fairly unique and it welcomes over 10,000 Jewish athletes from all over the world , giving them lots of opportunity to take part in.
The first Maccabiah games took place back in 1932 and according to the organisation, the goal was to glorify the athletic achievements of Jewish children and to provide Jewish athletes, who occasionally faced antisemitic restrictions on sporting activity, the opportunity to participate at a high level.
In a time when Israeli athletes and the Israeli public had little access to international contests, the Maccabiah games served as the primary sporting event. However, as time went on and Israel became the largest Jewish hub in the world – in terms of economy, demographics, culture, and sport – as well as opening up to the rest of the globe.
In the present day this goal is still in place as Jewish people from around the world do suffer from antisemitism in sports , but this event allows everyone to feel equal and ‘in place’.
Andrew Myers , The General term manager from GB at 2025 Maccabiah games said :
“ Our aim would be to send the most competitive teams that we can , to the competition in Israel in 2025 , but success is not merely measured in medals , but rather in the experience and friendships that the teams and internationals make.”
Andrew is hoping that besides the memories from the tournament , they will create friendships between other sporting nations.
Jamie Nathan , U18 England Futsal player, spoke about his relationship he built with the other nations and in particular with Brazil.
“It was nice to play against a different footballing culture which were very graceful in defeat and were pleasant boys and interesting people as we got to talk to them after the game.”
He also spoke about his experience as a whole and how it helped him take a further look in his religion:
“It was an experience of a lifetime , i was able to build long lasting bonds with teammates and managers”
“In terms of Jewish culture it helped me learn more about my religion and my true roots”
“It was a dream and an honor to represent my country at the Maccabiah games.”
The Maccabiah Games are seen as grassroots sports as it is the opportunity to bring communities together of all ages and backgrounds.
Maccabi GB are launching a new initiative to encourage members of the community to take part in sport.
The ‘Grassroots sport clubs’ initiative is looking to set up clubs across the UK which will offer Jewish people of any age and sporting ability the chance to take part in activities such as Sunday league football.
This initiative covers a range of sports for people of all different ages and genders such as football team , Maccabi London FC which offer teams for boys , girls , men , women and veterans.
The Maccabiah games want to allow people to achieve excellence in their own way , this can be either shown by winning or developing throughout the tournament.
“Winning is not the only thing of importance to us.” said Andrew.
Team Maccabi GB ended the 21st Maccabiah games with 57 medals , which included 6 golds , 22 silvers and 29 bronzes ,the most in the history of the delegation.
Despite making history in this tournament the other focuses of creating relationships and developing were also achieved .