London to host European Youth Games 2024

Jonathan Prevezer, chairman of Maccabi GB, says: “We are incredibly excited to provide a platform where sports, camaraderie and Jewish identity intertwine to create an extraordinary experience like no other. At Maccabi GB, we passionately believe in the transformative power of sports and its ability to strengthen Jewish identity and connection to the Jewish community. Our aim is to offer an inclusive and inspiring atmosphere where young athletes can display their skills, forge lifelong friendships, and develop a profound connection to their Jewish heritage.”

Maccabi GB is working in partnership with Maccabi Europe to ensure the professional delivery of these Games. After three unprecedented years since the 2019 Budapest European Maccabi Games, David Beesemer, chairman of Maccabi Europe, was aware of the challenges faced by his executive team in finding a host for a complete European Maccabi Games.

“It has been a very difficult few years, the 2020 Covid pandemic was followed by the War in Ukraine and a global economic downturn,” he says. “In addition, recent European Maccabi Games in Vienna, Berlin and Budapest had received significant government funding and support; the previous model just wasn’t going to work for the next event.” Beesemer is passionate about the development of young Jewish people and has a track record of success in this area in his home country, the Netherlands.

“I was not prepared to let all these challenges stand in our way,” he says, “and we were fortunate to find the right partner in one of our strongest territorial organisation, Maccabi Great Britain. Chairman Jonathan Prevezer shared my passion and motivation to provide an event specifically for young participants and in May 2023 at the Maccabi World Union Congress we announced the first European Maccabi Youth Games will take place in London in July 2024.

“There is nothing more important than the long-term development of the next generation of European Jewry and the EMYG24 will give us a great opportunity to engage hundreds of them through the Maccabi movement’s unique prism of sport and informal education. We are extremely looking forward to engaging hundreds of our young people from over 20 countries across Europe plus Israel and the rest of the world and I can’t wait until the opening ceremony”. The European Maccabi Youth Games 2024 will also include a dedicated provision for athletes with special educational needs and disabilities (Send).

In partnership with experts in our community and with Special Olympics Great Britain, we aim to showcase a series of events that will provide individuals with Send the opportunity to be a part of these Games.

This marks an exciting milestone for the organisation, and we hope this will be a regular occurrence, where inclusivity and participation become integral to the future of International Maccabi Games.

The educational and cultural programme for the EMYG will be developed by the Maccabi GB education team in partnership with the leading Jewish educators in the country. It will feature London sightseeing, and a broad range of programmes, sessions, and events, led and delivered by the young volunteer leaders of Maccabi GB. Every participant in the EMYG24 will have the opportunity of visiting London through immersive experiences, always bringing together cultural aspects with fun, exciting activities. The aim will be to leave a lasting impact, empowering athletes to have a deeper appreciation of their heritage and a stronger connection to their own Jewish identity and communities.

The European Maccabi Youth Games 2024 will bring together the joy of sports, the pride of Jewish heritage, and the bonds of friendship, all converging in a magnificent celebration of youth, resilience, and unity. Together, we will look to forge memories that will last a lifetime and strengthen the rich tapestry of our community.

For further information about the Games and to register, go to maccabigb.org/emyg24