The Israel National Team entered their second week of training camp ahead of the Eurobasket with an exciting encounter. The players were honored to meet with the Zahal (IDF) Disabled Veterans Organization on Sunday at a special event in conjunction with Prashkovsky Real Estate, one of the sponsors of the Blue & White as well as former Israel National Team standout Afik Nissim who is the CEO of Win Assist, an organization that he founded.

The players listed intently to Yitzhak Schwartz a commander of the Negev Brigade who was seriously injured at the beginning of the war in the Gaza Strip and is currently playing for the Tel Aviv Beit Halochem team. Afterwards, the squad had the unique opportunity to play wheelchair basketball with the veterans as they were briefed on the rules of the game.

Nimrod Levi, who took part in Hapoel Jerusalem’s Wheelchair Team this past season had a unique perspective on the event, “This is a really exciting program and there is so much pride. We had the opportunity to meet the country’s greatest heroes. I was part of the Jerusalem project and there were times I played in a wheelchair with the soldiers and fans. I was rehabbing from my surgery ad this gave me a ton of energy to be together with those who gave everything for the country. It gave me strength when I was just going from using crutches to walking one again.”

Amos Frishman, the Chairman of the Israel Basketball Association said, “For me, the most exciting thing is that the team brings joy to the hearts of so many people, especially the soldiers who came here today, who fought and sacrificed their bodies for all of us. They are the true inspiration. I want to thank the CEO of the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization, Yossi Matityahu, the team’s sponsor, Prashkovsky Real Estate and Afik Nissim for this exciting encounter.”

Yossi Prashkovsky, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Prashkovsky Investments and Construction added, “We are all so proud and have an immense amount of pride standing here alongside the Israel National Team, who represents us on the court with honor, determination and professionalism. Alongside them are wounded IDF soldiers, brave warriors who continue to represent the heroism and determination of our people far above and beyond the battlefield.”

Yossi Matityahu, the CEO of the Zahal Disabled Veterans Organization also spoke about the special event, “Sport is a first-class rehabilitation tool. Tens of thousands of wounded men and women come to our four Beit Halochem locations every day to take part in over 543 different sports, cultural and community groups, and receive a unique environment that assists them in their inspiring rehabilitation process on their way back to a full life in Israeli society.”

Afik Nissim, former Israeli national team player and founder of the Win Assist organization commented, “We had a number of particularly moving moments in the encounter between the Israel National Basketball Team players and the IDF disabled veterans at the Beit Halochem in Tel Aviv. We heard powerful stories from warriors who were injured during their military service – but did not give up and chose to turn the pain into a source of strength. Through sports, they found their way forward again. The highlight for us was the wheelchair basketball game, where we experienced firsthand the level of difficulty, determination and precision required to succeed. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this special day.”