The Maccabi Tel Aviv Foundation continued its’ activity in the community as today (Monday) Sheran Yeini and Eran Zahavi visited the Dan Panorma hotel in Tel Aviv where they met with kids who were evacuated from communities near the North and South borders.
Both players answered questions the kids asked them, had their photos taken, signed autographs, and handed out official club gifts.
Zahavi was asked to share his experience since October 7th as the veteran marksman replied: “We all changed our lives, but we made some minor change yet there are people here whose changes are drastic. They were uprooted from their homes. We are here to try and cheer them up even a little bit. Lets hope that this period would end as quick as possible. The most important thing these days in my opinion is to be kind to each other. I think we are doing this as a nation – being as strong as possible so that we could survive this period in the best possible way.”
Zahavi was then asked about his recent return to the national team squad and replied: “It is a good feeling as it is always nice to be part of the national team set-up. I am delighted to be there now and will try and do my best to make our nation happy. We all deserve a few moments of happiness and really hope we could do it.”
Zahavi, who was overlooked by the national team during the past year, explained hos the current climate influenced his decision: “It was an important factor of my decision, let bygones be bygones, both from my side and the national team which was mutual. The most important thing right now is to set an example as leaders, as people who looked at, to show one can make concessions for the greater good which is more than we are used to. It wasn’t something easy for me, not in terms of ego but to put aside my professional conduct which guided me for years. I simply decided to taker a plunge for the greater good and lest see what happens.”
Sheran Yeini also shared from the experience he had over the past few weeks and said: “Such activities and a visit like that fills us with a good feeling, knowing we are here to help. Sometimes I am surprised at the extent of the power we have when we speak to people about football or even play football with them. Things like that help them forget or distracts them for a moment as they even laugh with you. We really try to do as much as we can for society. We are very fortunate because we haven’t experienced such horrors and are capable of smiling. But just like the entire country we conduct ourselves on a day-by- day basis and occupy ourselves with strengthening the families. My wife volunteers at the civil-center war room where civilians locate the kidnapped and missing persons. So we are all working around the clock.”
On the teams’ return to action for the Conference League match against Ukrainian outfit Zorya Luhansk, Maccabi’s captain said: “Football has taken a back seat now, as we are all experiencing days of national mourning following what had happened. I really hope that all those who were kidnapped and held hostage would return and we will not suffer more losses of soldiers which is the most important thing. This is paramount to us right now, a lot more than football. We asked Maccabi to postpone the first match (which was scheduled to October 26th) because we are all still in a mourning phase, but we can’t postpone any further and a decision needs to be made. I spoke to the guys from Kfar Aza and they told me they would like to see us play again, to watch us and see teams represent the country. This is their way to escape from the horrors they experienced.”
