Toto Cup Final to Honor Israel's Reserve and Permanent Service Members

The Leagues Directorate for Football and Toto announced on Wednesday that this year's Toto Cup final between Maccabi and Hapoel Tel Aviv will be dedicated to honoring and appreciating Israel's Defense Forces reserve and permanent service members. The event aims to embrace the soldiers and support staff who bear the burden of the country's defense, highlighting their daily sacrifices.

The tribute will include several emotional gestures, beginning Wednesday on the Directorate's social media channels and continuing through Thursday, placing reservists and their families at the center of attention. As players enter the field, 25 children of reservists will accompany them and the referees, symbolizing the strong family support system that enables their service. The children will wear shirts reading "My Mom/Dad is My Captain."

Immediately after the players' entrance and before kickoff, a special ceremony will be held on the field. Two reserve soldiers will represent the tens of thousands serving on the front lines and in the home front. They are Lt. Col. (res.) Gilaor Toledano, a Maccabi Tel Aviv fan and commander of Battalion 7008, and Alon Schwartzer, a sergeant major in the 5280 Engineering Battalion of the Alexandroni Brigade, an Hapoel Tel Aviv fan.

The evening's climax will be the awarding of the Toto Cup trophy by a reserve service member who is also a fan of the winning team. Brigadier General Beni Ben Ari stated, "We all embrace, honor, and salute the service members for their significant work and contribution to the country over more than three years of war. Alongside their operational mission, service members always keep their families in mind. This game is an opportunity for us to say thank you to them and their families and express the deep appreciation of the IDF and the entire Israeli society for their dedication and efforts."

Erez Halfon, Chairman of the Leagues Directorate, added, "Reserve and permanent service members are the backbone of Israeli society, and Israeli football is proud to salute them. Their families at home are the silent heroes of the past three years. The Toto Cup final is an opportunity for us, as a sports community, to say thank you on the biggest stage, to embrace the children, honor the fighters, and give them the respect they deserve."