Committee Members Behind Choosing Beitar Jerusalem for President's Award Revealed Amid Controversy

Following Beitar Jerusalem's receipt of the President's Award on August 25, the club launched a strong response against Maccabi Haifa CEO Itzik Ovadia over the selection process. The controversy centers on the committee that decided to award Beitar Jerusalem instead of Maccabi Haifa. The committee includes notable figures from Israeli sports and social sectors.

Among the members is Andy Ram, a former Israeli tennis player renowned for his international doubles achievements, who also chairs the President's Award committee. Other members include Batel Gerbi, active in sports and social initiatives; Nurit Sharvit, a public figure involved in community projects; and Nissim Sasports, a veteran sports journalist known for football coverage. Oren Avraham, head of finance and events at the President's Residence, also serves on the committee.

Additional members are Ashraf Halabi, professional manager of the Druze Ball Association promoting sports in the Druze community, and Nir Chen, a senior figure at RGE Group and co-owner of Sport Channel, engaged in sports and community initiatives. The committee's diverse composition reflects a blend of sports, media, and social activism backgrounds.

The revelation of the committee members comes amid ongoing debate about the award's selection, highlighting tensions between Beitar Jerusalem and Maccabi Haifa leadership. The controversy underscores the significance of the President's Award in Israeli sports and the scrutiny of its awarding process.