The world is watching
MORE than 240 international athletes from 13 countries will join 200 Australians for eight days of competition at the second Maccabi Australia International Games (MAIGs) in Sydney next week.
MORE than 240 international athletes from 13 countries will join 200 Australians for eight days of competition at the second Maccabi Australia International Games (MAIGs) in Sydney next week.
“These games are going to be great and we’re extremely excited because it’s been three years in the making,” MAIGs chairman Jeff Houseman said.
Athletes from Argentina, Azerbaijan, Brazil, Canada, England, Hong Kong, Israel, Lithuania, Mexico, Scotland, Sweden, the US and Venezuela will compete in basketball, football, golf, lawn bowls, swimming, ten pin bowling and tennis.
Houseman said he was surprised at some of the nations that are competing.
“Obviously, some of the countries are not financially well off, so for them to come so far to support the MAIGs is fantastic.
“I’m disappointed that Maccabi South Africa is not coming, particularly in view of the huge South African community here, but we will have a great event without them.”
The international competitors will begin arriving on Thursday next week, before the opening ceremony at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday, December 26.
“We are starting with a memorial to the Munich 11 and a memorial to the four Australians who passed away when the bridge collapsed at the 1997 Maccabiah Games, and then the athletes will walk to the State Sports Centre for the official opening.”
Josh Small, whose father Greg died when the bridge over the Yarkon River collapsed 13 years ago in Israel, will compete in ten pin bowling for Australia.
“I think the memorial will be nice and it will make it special. It’s always hard,” Josh said. “It’s always special to commemorate and represent the Australian Jewish community, but also play the sport my dad loved.”
One of the highlights of the MAIGs will be when Maccabi takes over Bondi Beach on December 29 for an ocean swim event.
Houseman said it’s exciting because this is the first time Maccabi are using the legendary coastline for an event.
“We think we’re going to have more than 50 swimmers and the entire community is invited,” Houseman said. “This is a first for us because we are going to use one of the most famous beaches in the world and I believe this is the first time that a Maccabi Games anywhere around the world has had an ocean swim.”
Another highlight is expected to be the golf competition, when the Australians take on a combined international team from Argentina, Hong Kong, Scotland and the US.
The MAIGs will be held in Sydney from December 26 until January 2.
JOSHUA LEVI
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