Nissim Alfasi, Nahariya's municipal chairman, gave a special interview to Israel Today, revealing his deal with cancer: "Anyone who thinks that health is self-evident - should think again" • The opportunity to win the National Cup: "It will be a complete reward for everything I went through "

• Alfasi. "There were times when I didn't function. I lay like dead"

  Photo:

  Maor Alexasci

Nissim Alfasi, the chairman of Nahariya Municipal Council, is one of the most recognized people in Israeli basketball. Since taking over the management of the Northern team a decade ago and rescuing it from disintegration due to financial problems, he has also become a member of the league's board of directors and a member of the basketball association.

Few know what he has been through for the past year and a half, since his cancer was discovered. At first, doctors said the situation was difficult, but Alfasi and his family did not give up, fought and provided the best care. Efforts have yielded fruit, and in recent months he has begun to recover from the disease and recover.

Nahariya players. Give Alpsi the Quiet // Photo: Maor Alexassi

"I went through a very difficult time," he reveals in a special interview with "Israel Today," "There were periods that really didn't work. It was really not easy for me and my family, because chemotherapy is very difficult, you are on the verge of losing consciousness, not functioning "You lie in bed like dead, unable to raise your head. That's how it has been for months."

What have you been through during those tough days?

"I kept hearing about the disease all around, and it hurt me. Then when you were told it was coming to you - it's a difficult moment. I am happy, I am a believing person, and this belief held me throughout the whole period. My family did not leave me for a moment, and blessedness, thanks to the faith and strength around , I was able to get out of the simple situation I was in and get to the point that I hope my situation map will only get better. "
When Alfasi talks about reinforcements all around, he also refers to Ronen Marley, the mayor of Nahariya. Alfasi was known for many years as the former man of the trust of former mayor Jacquie Sabag, and when Merley was elected to the post in October 2018, Alfasi seemed unlikely to continue in his senior position at the local municipality.

Alfasi. "This period gave me a lot of material for thought" // Photo: Maor Alexisi

"When I got sick, the mayor insisted on visiting me. At first I preferred not to, but he insisted on coming home to me a few weeks after he was elected and said: 'Miracles, I want you to deal with your health. Everything about the group, livelihood, work - you have nothing to worry about, I care In that and everything will be fine, "he says, and it seems that even more than a year after the case, he does not take it for granted.

According to Alfasi, a lot has changed in his health. "I try to take basketball and life more in proportion. In the hospital, I saw pretty easy sights, and then you realize that a lot of the things we get annoyed with in life are actually marginal. I've always been thoughtful and thought-provoking, but this period has greatly influenced me and given me a lot of material for thought "I realized that you need to be less angry and not take things to heart, because there are much more important things in life. Whoever thinks health is self-evident - should think again."

Alfasi (59), who was born in Morocco and immigrated to Israel at age 5, is one of the most recognized people in Nahariya. He has served as mayor for 15 years, previously also a Limor Livnat consultant in the Ministry of Education, and previously worked as a physical education teacher for more than 20 years. He currently serves as the chairman of the local basketball team, while also managing the MS Betar Nahariya municipal football team that plays in League Two.

"It took us a while to stabilize the club after it was disbanded. Today, it no longer has any obligations," he says. "We have 1,200 subscribers, an average of more than 1,800 fans per game, a large youth department and a beautiful hall. Nahariya. Although Nahariya is on the periphery and far from the center, we have become a club that players and coaches want to reach thanks to his conduct, the conditions and the professional quiet we give. The fact that we were able to bring in a great coach from Danny Franco and an assistant coach like Ofer Rahimi speaks for itself. "

Alfasi. "Hope things get better" // Photo: Maor Alexisi

"Living in hope and optimism"

Alfasi says that due to the municipality's uncertain financial situation and the Home Office's demand for cuts, there were some council members who wanted to significantly reduce the city's budget for the basketball team, but today "everyone understands the importance of the group to the city.

Nahariya is not like a city in the center, with clubs, parks, soccer, basketball and everything else. What do Nahariya residents have besides a Premier League basketball team? The group is a source of pride for its residents and has many social and cultural implications in the city. "
As mentioned, Alfasi's condition has improved in recent months and is currently under surveillance. "I don't know what will give birth to a day, but I live with hope and optimism and believe it will be good," he said.

Tomorrow (Monday) Nahariya will face Ness Ziona in the semi-finals of the National Cup, in an attempt to qualify for the first final in its history. "If we win this trophy it will be the full consideration for all the difficulties I have been through in recent years. It can be a historic milestone that will put us on the Israeli basketball map."