Hapoel Be'er Sheva Owner Alona Barkat Becomes a Grandmother at 57

Alona Barkat, the owner of the Hapoel Be'er Sheva soccer club, has become a grandmother for the first time at the age of 57. The announcement was made on social media, where Barkat shared a photo of her newborn granddaughter, named Mia. Barkat and her husband, businessman Eli Barkat, celebrated the birth of their first grandchild, born to their eldest son Tomer and his wife.

Barkat has been the owner of the Negev-based club for nearly two decades. In 2007, she made history by becoming the first woman in Israel to purchase and manage a soccer club. Under her leadership and with investments estimated in the hundreds of millions of shekels, Hapoel Be'er Sheva underwent a significant transformation. The club was promoted from the National League, moved to the modern Toto Turner Stadium, and achieved historic successes including consecutive league championships, State Cup wins, and advancements in European competitions.

Beyond her extensive sporting and business activities, Barkat has consistently championed social initiatives promoting coexistence and community connection through sports in the Negev region. Now, alongside her leadership of the club and public endeavors, she has embraced the new role of grandmother.