The Maccabi Tel Aviv FC Foundation and Make-A-Wish Israel teamed up to grant Ofri, a 9 year old boy who suffers from leukemia his wish to meet Eran Zahavi and kick the ball around with him on the pitch, just days prior to his leaving for a new challenge in China.
Unbeknownst to Ofri, he and his family arrived at Kiryat Shalom to “pick up” a few things at the Team Store but was then quickly ushered onto the training pitch when all of a sudden his idol, Zahavi walked in for a practice session. Ofri’s eyes widened like saucers as he greeted number 7 and found out that his wish had come true; A chance to play one on one with his favorite player.
Both Zahavi & Ofri put on their training gear and headed out onto the field as they played together in the late afternoon sun.
Denise Bar-Aharon, CEO and Founder “Make-A-Wish Israel said: “There is nothing more touching than seeing the wish of a child come true, after experiencing painful days and nights fighting their illness. Meeting Eran Zahavi was selected out of everything else in the world that Ofri could have chosen, and it was the right choice! Eran was wonderful and gave Ofri quality one on one time. Eran Zahavi is not only a giant on the field but as a human being! Thank you to the Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation for making this wish happen, we could not have done it without you!”
Maxine Levitt, the Foundation’s Corporate and Community Relations Associate commented: “It was an absolutely unbelievable encounter especially seeing Ofri’s eyes light up when his hero walked in. Ofri didn’t know whether to laugh or cry out of happiness and excitement. The Foundation was very pleased to be able to partner with Make-A-Wish Israel to help make Ofri’s dream come true after a long and difficult battle. But the knowledge that a dream could come true aided him to make it through a very hard period of time.”
