Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv made their traditional Chanukah visit to the children at Schneider Hospital in Petach Tikvah. Ohayon: “We may give them something, but they certainly give us something, too.”
By Amy Samin
After last night’s dramatic victory over Maccabi Rishon Lezion, the players and coaches of Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv continued the long-standing traditional Chanukah-time visit to the children at Schneider Hospital this morning (Tuesday). The players, coaches and members of the club distributed signed posters, tee shirts, bags, pens, and a variety of other gifts.
“On the one hand, it’s a lot of fun to go to see the children and bring them gifts, but on the other hand it breaks your heart. All of us would rather see all of these kids healthy and happy every day, like they’re happy while we’re here visiting them,” said head coach David Blatt. “I understand from the doctors and the staff here that our visit helps a lot, and that makes me happy. There’s no doubt that a visit like this energizes us. There’s nothing like bolstering someone else to help make you stronger as well. The most important thing is for them to feel better; may they have a Chanukah miracle. Every good deed you do gives you strength and inspiration to go on in every area, including basketball.”
Guy Pnini added: “It’s a break from all of our craziness. It’s great that we have the opportunity to come and make these kids happy. I have a special sensitivity to kids and it’s tough for me here, but I’m glad that I can make them happy, and that we as a team can cheer them up. It’s like a kind of time out; we each have some time to think and to take things in proportion.”
Theo Papaloukas gave others the chance to enter the children’s rooms before him and explained: “I thought it would be better to let the other players go ahead of me, because I don’t speak the language and it’s better if the children see the Israeli players, especially in the delicate situation they are in now. I’m very happy that we came to visit here, you can see how happy the children are.”
“They are fighting for their lives here, and we bring them a few moments of happiness. Moments like this make you realize how much other people are blessed who have normal lives without difficulties like this. It helps you to appreciate the things you tend to take for granted. Maccabi does a lot to give back to the community, and I think it’s wonderful.”
Yogev Ohayon noted: “It’s a very emotional situation; I personally tend to melt around all of the kids we see here when I notice them smiling and so happy. We may give them something, but they certainly give us something, too.” About the upcoming game against Anadolu Efes, the point guard said, “There’s no doubt this visit gives us renewed energy before the game. I hope we’ll be able to utilize the satisfaction that we’re getting here today on the basketball court. It was important for us to win yesterday after two losses; Thursday is a completely different story. We have two days to prepare and I believe that we will prepare in the best possible way.”
