Sports Minister Hili Trooper today (Monday) visited the dozens of Ukrainian athletes who have arrived in Israel in recent days, and after hearing their story, announced the increase in the number of athletes entering Israel (per 100 athletes).
Trooper arrived at the Achievement Hall and met with 15 fencers, who had fled the war and were training in the country ahead of next month's World Youth and Cadet Championships in Dubai, watched a showcase battle and chatted with Jewish head coach Natalia Conrad.
"I did not think that would happen," one of the young fencers told the minister.
"We are from Kiev and my family is still there and they wake up to the sirens. I take care of them and it's scary, I'm here in Israel for the first time and they received us very nicely, but want to go back to my house."
Trooper in a meeting with Ukrainian athletes, Photo: Oren Aharoni
Later, the minister arrived at the judo hall, where he was received by the coach of the women's team, Shani Hershko, who hosts a group of young Ukrainian athletes and heard the story of coach Alexandra Starkova: "My house was destroyed, I hid in a shelter. Just think about sports, try to be as much in touch with the family as possible. "
Trooper in a meeting with the Ukrainian athletes,
Hershko said: "There are heartbreaking stories here, this is a complex and difficult situation, and we try to help as much as possible. We have received many deliveries of food and there are many people who have come to help. They came here with a month's visa but have nowhere to go. It is something to think about. "On him, what do you do with them next? We must raise donations to help them and leave them in Israel for another period if necessary, because otherwise they are in trouble."
With coach Alexandra Starkova, Photo: Oren Aharoni
Minister Hili Trooper said at the end: “It is heartbreaking to meet these athletes, who describe getting out of basements, after leaving families behind and having nowhere to go back because their home was destroyed by shells.
It is a great privilege to give them a few days of peace and security, it is the power of a strong country.
We mobilized in the office, institute, unions and clubs one hundred percent to give them everything they needed.
This is what the good and beautiful Land of Israel looks like.
Last night, I agreed with Minister Ayelet Shaked on increasing the quota of athletes from 50 visas to 100 because more requests to enter Israel have arrived.
In the future it may even grow.
"I believe there will be no Ukrainian athlete who wants to come here and we will close the door on him."
Wingate Institute CEO Shai Avrahami: “The arrival of the teams here was made thanks to the personal connections between the athletes, the coaches, the unions, and with the help of the Ministry of Culture and Sports that supported the course.
We are proud of the opportunity to host them here during this difficult time and give them the proper envelope.
They live here, eat here and train here, all the people of the institute mobilize for them to make it easier for them.
We hope they can return to their country in peace soon. "
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