Hapoel Center Celebrates 100 Years, Names Israel's Top Athletes and Teams

The Hapoel Center, a major Israeli sports organization, marked its centenary on Thursday with a gala event honoring athletes, coaches, and teams that have brought international pride to Israel over the past century. The "Athletes of the Century" list recognized significant achievements across various sports.

In Olympic and Paralympic sports, honorees included rhythmic gymnast Linoy Ashram, a historic gold medalist in Tokyo, and her coach Ayelet Sussman. Windsurfer Gal Fridman, an Olympic gold and bronze medalist who also coached Tomer Reuveni to a Paris gold, was recognized alongside sailing coach Gur Steinberg. Paralympic taekwondo champion Asaf Yasur and national coach Yechiam Sharabi, as well as world champion and Paralympic medalist rower Moran Samuel, also received accolades.

Three team sports clubs were celebrated for their historic continental achievements: Hapoel Tel Aviv Football Club for winning the 1967 Asian Championship, Hapoel Jerusalem Basketball Club for winning the 2004 EuroCup, and Hapoel Tel Aviv Basketball Club for winning the 2024 EuroCup.

Recipients expressed deep emotion, with Ashram and Fridman highlighting Hapoel's supportive role in fostering athletes across generations. Hapoel Center Chairman Prosper Ben Hamu and CEO Kinneret Tzadok emphasized the organization's founding in 1926 by David Ben-Gurion and the Histadrut labor federation, noting its continued mission to support champions and develop future talent through its approximately 350 branches nationwide.

Fridman reflected on witnessing Hapoel's support continue from the sidelines as a coach after his own Olympic experience. Ashram expressed her honor in being selected alongside figures like Fridman and hoped her recognition would inspire young girls in Israel to pursue their athletic dreams. The leadership reiterated their commitment to building the next generation of Israeli sports.