Hapoel Center Names Athletes, Coaches, and Teams of the Century

The Hapoel Center, a major Israeli sports organization, celebrated its 100th anniversary by honoring its athletes, coaches, and teams of the century. The event recognized individuals and groups who brought international pride to Israel over the past century.

Among the honored athletes and coaches were Olympic rhythmic gymnastics gold medalist Linoy Ashram and her coach Ayelet Zussman. Taekwondo Paralympian and world champion Asaf Yasur, along with his coach Yechiam Sharabi, were also recognized. Gal Fridman, Israel's first Olympic sailing gold medalist and a subsequent coach, and his mentor Gur Steinberg, were celebrated. Moran Samuel, a world champion and Paralympic medalist in rowing, completed the list of individual honorees.

Three prominent teams were also selected: Hapoel Tel Aviv football club for winning the 1967 Asian Club Championship, Hapoel Jerusalem basketball club for its 2004 FIBA EuroCup win, and Hapoel Tel Aviv basketball club for its 2024 EuroCup victory.

Kineret Tzaf, CEO of the Hapoel Center, emphasized the dedication behind each honoree, stating, "Behind every name here are years of work, of faith, and of people who did not give up." She highlighted the Hapoel Center's role as a nurturing home for champions.

Founded in 1924, the Hapoel Center was officially established in 1926 by the Histadrut labor federation, with David Ben-Gurion as its chairman. It has since grown to approximately 350 branches nationwide, supporting elite athletes, sports clubs, workplace sports programs, and activities for people with disabilities.

Olympic champion Gal Fridman expressed gratitude for the Hapoel Center's continuous support, noting its role in putting Israeli sports on the map. Olympic champion Linoy Ashram called her selection an immense honor and expressed hope that it would inspire more young girls in Israel to pursue their athletic dreams.