Hapoel Center's 100th Anniversary Sports Event Kicks Off in Eilat
Translated & summarized from Davar by baba
The Hapoel Center's 2026 Sportiada began Tuesday in Eilat, celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary with over 10,000 participants. The event, running until October 17, 2026, features sports competitions, social events, and cultural activities. Notably, teams from the Nova Tribe community, comprising survivors of southern festivals and bereaved families, are participating for the first time, highlighting sport's role in resilience and connection. The Sportiada aims to promote folk sport and community bonding across Israel.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- Over 10,000 participants are attending the Hapoel Center's 2026 Sportiada in Eilat, celebrating the organization's 100th anniversary.
- The week-long event, running until October 17, 2026, features sports competitions, social gatherings, and cultural activities.
- This year's Sportiada includes the first-time participation of basketball and football teams from the Nova Tribe community.
- The Nova Tribe teams are composed of survivors of southern music festivals and bereaved families, using sport for rehabilitation.
- The event is considered Israel's largest folk sport gathering and a significant initiative for community and social resilience.
The Hapoel Center's 2026 "Sportiada" commenced Tuesday in Eilat, marking the 100th anniversary of the Hapoel organization. The opening ceremony featured a performance by Sarrit Haddad, signaling the start of the week-long sports celebration. Over 10,000 participants representing approximately 250 companies, workplaces, and organizations are attending the event, which runs until October 17, 2026. The Sportiada, described as Israel's largest folk sport gathering, includes five days of sports competitions, social gatherings, performances, and cultural events. Participants are staying in about 40 hotels across Eilat and will compete in hundreds of games across various sports.
Prosper Ben Hamo, Chairman of the Hapoel Center, stated at the opening ceremony that the Sportiada is a unique sporting and social initiative in Israel, bringing together thousands of employees from diverse backgrounds to foster teamwork, achievement, and mutual respect. He highlighted the participation of the Nova Tribe community's teams as a moving example of sport's power to provide strength, hope, and human connection, pledging the Hapoel Center's continued efforts with the Histadrut to promote folk sport accessibility.
Kineret Tzaf, CEO of the Hapoel Center, added that the event is more than just a sports competition; it's the largest and most moving gathering for folk sport in Israel. She emphasized the pride in seeing over ten thousand workers from across the country compete, showcasing sport's ability to connect people. This year's Sportiada offers an enriched experience with hundreds of competitions and events, aiming to solidify its status as one of the world's largest folk sport events and a symbol of connection between athletic excellence, community, and social resilience.
A significant addition this year is the first-time participation of the basketball and football teams from the Nova Tribe community association, composed of survivors of the southern music festivals and bereaved families. These teams were formed to aid rehabilitation, strengthen personal and community resilience, and facilitate a return to routine through sport. The basketball team is named in memory of Roi Shlomo, and the football team offers a supportive framework for community members. Paz Amar, Sports Department Manager for the Nova Tribe Community Association, expressed that their participation is a deeply emotional and significant moment, representing a step forward in their journey of recovery and resilience, emphasizing that every step is a victory.
Mentioned
