Jerusalem holds basketball 'Champions League' event for people with disabilities

For the past nine years, the Municipality of Jerusalem has been running a basketball "Champions League" - the first league of its kind in Israel for people with disabilities. The unique league, which is managed by the Municipality via cooperation between its Sports Department and Special Needs Department, holds games throughout the year that allow participants to enjoy an organized framework of competitive basketball games to develop and maximize the potential of each of them. The league provides the players with a high-level professional experience that includes high-quality facilities where the various games are held, uniforms, a staff of professional referees for the games, and more.

As part of the league's activities in Jerusalem, and as part of Good Deeds Day, celebrated on Tuesday, March 14, the league's main event was held on that day, giving all of its players a big and exciting stage, with an audience of thousands of people who came to watch the athletes play and get to know them up close.

During the day, joint games were held with the league's players together with students from schools around the city who came to the event as spectators and athletes. In addition, volunteers from various organizations partnering with the league, including Mobileye and the Israel Police, participated in the event.

This year, for the first time, the event was held with the particularly exciting participation of the stars of the Premier League's Beitar Jerusalem and Hapoel Jerusalem football clubs, who joined forces in order to bring joy to the league's players as well as take part in the league's activities. The stars from the two Jerusalem teams got to know the league's players when joint games of the stars of the two teams were held together with the Champions League.

The event took place from 8:00 to 13:00 at the Malha basketball arena (3 Stern Street), in the presence of Mayor Moshe Leon, who gave special signals and instructions to the team leaders and the Champions League athletes.

The Mayor of Jerusalem, Moshe Leon, said before the event, "The Municipality of Jerusalem is excited to hold the main event of the 'Champions League" in basketball again this year, and to celebrate an athletic, ethical and egalitarian endeavor. The unique Jerusalem League operates all year round for its wonderful players, and makes it possible to promote both the personal empowerment of each one of them and the strength of our community. I welcome the important and exciting activity of the league, I am proud of the players, and I hope all the participants greatly enjoy the upcoming event that will be held in the city."