Hundreds of Jewish teenagers from all over the world will be coming to the UK this summer to take part in what is thought to be the country’s largest international Jewish sporting event of the year.
The inaugural European Maccabi Youth Games (EMYG24) will see some 850 under-18 and under-16 participants from 16 countries compete in up to 23 different sports over a period of one week.
The games, which will be taking place between July 30 and August 6, will include basketball, field hockey, football, futsal, tennis and table tennis.
Athletes will be arriving from Denmark, Austria, Argentina, Holland, Hungary, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Israel, France, Slovakia, Germany and South Africa.
Jewish teenagers celebrate during a football match (Photo: Maccabi GB)
In addition to competing in sports, competitors will enjoy sightseeing in London and learn about British Jewish history, culture and tradition.
In the meantime, Maccabi GB is appealing for volunteers to sign up to assist in areas including administration and logistics; education and planning; engagement and promotion; event support services; operations and youth leadership.
As part of EMYG24, a programme which is specially tailored to young athletes with special education needs and disabilities (SEND) will also be piloted. It aims to include specific SEND sporting competitions, as well as enabling athletes with special educational needs and disabilities to compete in the overall competition. It will also offer taster sessions in various sports for all athletes with SEND.
Team Maccabi GB's U18 Girls football team, training at St. George's Park (Credit: Maccabi GB)
Maccabi GB chair Jonathan Prevezer said: “Maccabi GB are excited to be hosting the inaugural European Maccabi Youth Games. Working closely with CST, the police and many volunteers, we look forward to welcoming over 800 young Jewish athletes from 15 other countries for a fun and secure Games, as well as shining a light on the thriving culture of British Jewry today.”
Maccabi GB, which was set up over 80 years ago, is one of Britain’s leading Jewish sports, health and wellbeing charities, engaging up to 60,000 people nationally each year.
To apply to be a volunteer, visit maccabigb.org/emygvolunteer
