South Africa’s hunt for Maccabi gold about to begin

JACK MILNER

Few people are prepared to nail their colours to the mast when it comes to predicting gold medal winners, but, in fairness, they will only know the standard of the opposition when they take to the fields, pitches and courts.

However, historically the strength of the South African delegation has always been in team sports, especially cricket and rugby.

This year a junior rugby team will take to the field in both the 15-man game and the Sevens. South Africa is guaranteed a medal in the sevens as only three countries are participating – South Africa, Argentina and host country Israel. A mixed team could be added to the 15-man game, however. 

The seniors, who have a record of six gold medal in eight Maccabi Games, will have another four teams with whom to contend in the 15s, namely the US, Israel, Argentina and Australia, while France and Chile will both field a Sevens team.   

The cricketers have also done the country proud over the years and both the juniors and seniors will be looking to win their fourth successive gold medals.

“We’re coming home with gold,” exclaimed Joanne Tankle, manager of this year’s junior cricket squad. “I told the team if they think they’re going there for anything other than gold, then stay behind.”

Tankle admitted there were lots of issues they will need to confront. “We don’t know the field because I believe they are using mats for the pitches. We also don’t know the opposition, but I believe we have a very good team and we are competitive – I am competitive!” 

Among their team members are Guy Sheena, a 15-year-old from Cape Town who recently made the Western Province under-17 squad, as well as spin bowler Matt Cronson, who is the grandson of former South African wicketkeeper Dennis Gamsy. 

“We play the final on July 14, so the guys will have a few days to have fun after that. We know we have big shoes to fill, but winning is the only thing on our minds,” added Tankle. 

Their wicketkeeper, Dylan Ephron, is making aliyah and he will not be coming back with the team. 

The juniors will hone their skills against the senior team in a match at Crawford College on Sunday, after which they will be given advice by two greats of South African cricket, Ali Bacher and his nephew Adam. 

Tennis has always been a good medal gatherer for the country, but this year it could be tough, although Jacqui Boyd is quite happy to “back myself for gold” in the women’s masters tournament.  

Boyd’s first Maccabiah was as a junior in 1993 when she won bronze in doubles. She next went in 2005 and this time won gold in both the women’s and mixed doubles. In 2013 she took part for the third time and came away with gold in the mixed doubles and bronze in the singles. 

“I was proud of my performance that year. I was a 34-year-old taking on 18-year-olds,” she explained. “Now I’m excited playing in the 35 to 40 age group. 

“I play regularly on the local circuit and I’m ranked No. 1 in my age group in the country. I also played in the World Senior Championships, so I know a number of the senior players, but the better ones I met weren’t Jewish, so in this age group I would pretty much back myself to win. I would be a bit disappointed if I didn’t.”

Of course, the heat could always be an issue, but the tournament has changed for the masters events; the early games are round-robin events and the first to win eight games, wins the match. At 7-7 they would play a tie-breaker.

From the quarterfinals it becomes a knockout tournament and back to the best of three sets. 

The other teams who have high hopes of gold medals, are the under-16 Futsal team and the junior netball team, both of which have had very good preparations.  

Golfers have generally performed well and particularly the Sundelson family. All over, father Neville and sons Barry and Dean have won medals at the Games and Barry is back to do it all again.

This year, however, the next generation Sundelsons will take to the course in Caesaria as Judd, Barry’s son, will play in the junior tournament.    

In the past, water polo has provided a number of gold medals for South Africa and for the first time the country will be sending a junior team. The members are talented and will come up against five other countries, although their strength is unknown. 

The junior boys squash team boasts some talented players and they will be looking to come back with some medals as well. 

A great deal of money to raise for the SA team 

The Maccabiah has over the years become an expensive event to participate in or to attend.

With a falling rand and everything quoted in dollars, this year an athlete would have to lay out around R63 000 to participate. This, however, covers all the costs – airfares, accommodation, three meals a day and transport.

It has always been the view of Maccabi South Africa that nobody who deserves a place in the team should be disadvantaged through lack of funds, and over the years they have set up the Maccabiah Youth Fund to assist youngsters who genuinely lack funding.

As Maccabi SA Chairman Cliff Garrun points out, the competition for the limited funds out there is very strong, and it is hard to compete with some of the other charities.

“Most of the money this year was raised by the youngsters themselves, holding their own events,” he said. “They also sold tickets for a car and some other prizes we were raffling. The respective sporting codes, along with the conveners and coaches, organised events, talks and dinners (to raise funds).”

One of the best was a comedy evening put together by the cricketers, where they had comedian Nic Rabinowitz entertain the guests. Rabinowitz has a soft spot for Maccabi cricket, considering he played for the SA team at the last two Maccabiahs.

In order to benefit from the fund, applicants have to prove they qualify to the committee.

The raffle raised in excess of R1,6 million and all the proceeds went directly into the fund.

The winners were drawn at a function last Sunday night and the winners are up on the Maccabi website.

Excellent Maccabiah record for Team SA 

This year Maccabi South Africa will be sending a team of 295 athletes to the 20^th Maccabiah which kicks off on July 8. 

South Africa has participated in every Maccabi Games since 1935, although in the 1980s the country had to compete as an unofficial team, because South Africa was suspended from the International Olympics Committee. 

Nevertheless, the country has established an amazing record over the years. A total of 3 100 athletes have represented South Africa and they have amassed a total of 791 medals, of which 269 have been gold.

If one takes into account the medal haul as a percentage of the Jewish community in the country, it makes South Africa the best performer in the Diaspora.

South African tennis players have had the best results over the years, having won medals at every Maccabiah with a total haul of 122. With players such as Wimbledon Plate winner Marlene Bethlehem (née Gerson), Abe Segal, Ilana Kloss, David Nainkin, David Schneider, Earl Grainger, Howard Joffe, David Egdes, Brian Levine and Jacqui Boyd in the teams, that result comes as no surprise.

Another strong event has been bowls, in which the South Africans have accumulated 110 medals. Cricketers have also won medals at every Maccabiah, including 10 golds. This year both the senior and junior teams will be looking at their fourth successive gold medals. 

The rugby teams have often been the most controversial for various reasons, but they have nailed their colours to the mast over the years, with six gold medals in eight appearances at the Games. 

The Maccabiah – politics or sport? 

The Maccabiah is regarded as the third largest event of its kind in the world, but it would not be a Jewish event if it wasn’t without some controversy. 

In 2001 the Maccabiah was shortened as a result of the Intifada in Israel at the time, but it also coincided with the Davis Cup tie at the Ramat HaSharon Tennis Centre between Israel and South Africa.

I was in Israel to cover both events and discussed the Maccabiah with Israel’s Davis Cup captain, Amos Mansdorf. “Never forget,” he said, “that the Maccabiah is not a sporting event, it’s a political event.”

That differing view has often created a divide between participants, particularly the juniors, and the organisers. Interestingly the issue was brought up again in a light-hearted manner by Israel’s Ambassador to South Africa Arthur Lenk, at last Sunday’s send-off event at the HOD in Johannesburg. 

He pointed out that the Maccabiah was not about the medals. “It’s about being exposed to the Jewish world and to Israel,” he stressed. “The most meaningful moment will come at the opening ceremony when you walk into the stadium with people from all over the world.

“You will have the chance to meet them and to interact with them. You will meet other people who are just like you and you will make new friends.”

Perhaps that is not exactly what youngsters who have worked their butts off to make the team and have been practising for the last year really want to hear. They want a genuine sporting event, but it is also true that the Maccabiah is more than that. 

The politicians hope that many of these participants will fall in love with the country and make aliyah, but they also need to ensure that the Maccabiah is a serious sporting event. In fact, Ben Swartz, chairman of the South African Zionist Federation, commented that Maccabi was one of their best tools of getting people to Israel. “Our role is to do that and nobody can do it better than Maccabi. 

“Go there, embrace the experience, love it, and connect with everyone in Israel,” he told the participants. 

Whatever happens on the playing fields, I have yet to meet one youngster who did not have the finest fortnight of his or her life at the Maccabiah.  

Chief Rabbi Goldstein gives his blessing 

Chief Rabbi Warren Goldstein has always been a great supporter of the Maccabi Games and its ethics and last Sunday night he explained his view.

“We live in a world where everything is about values – the values of Jewish unity, of Zionism, of global Jewish identity and of sport,” he said.

“We also live in a world in which people spend too much time in front of screens, whether it be television, computers or phones. Maccabi represents going out into the fresh air, competing, playing sport and being healthy – and being healthy is a mitzvah.”

He also spoke of the responsibility the youth have when they represent South Africa in Israel. “Everybody is willing to get on an airplane and go. You are all very precious to the Jewish community and we are very proud of you. 

“But remember that people will judge our community on the way you interact with them. 

“May Hashem bless you to bring back all the gold medals – and silver and bronze too.”

SA soccer boys to make a difference

The under-18 soccer team who will be representing South Africa at next month’s Maccabiah, are more than just a squad of footballers – they are out to make a difference.

The youngsters have created a supporting relationship with the Selwyn Segal Eagles, a soccer team made up of people from the home. The under-18 team started a tournament with the Selwyn Segal Eagles and this will become an annual event.

Last week Thursday the Selwyn Segal Eagles showed their support for the under-18 squad and attended a function at which the South African representatives were presented with their kit for the Maccabiah by Bafana Bafana and SuperSport United midfielder, Dean Furman.

They had a cake prepared with the wording “Good luck Junior Maccabi team, from the Selwyn Segal Eagles”. 

“These 16 boys have redefined what Maccabi is about and what Jewish sport is all about,” said Maccabi South Africa convener Craig Nossel. 

The team will also be playing for brothers Dean and Dylan Walt. Dean died tragically in a motorcar accident at the age of 13 and a few years later his brother, Dylan, died at age 19 in Israel. “Dylan and Dean both loved soccer and it is an honour that you will be playing for them,” said their mother, Belinda. 

Furman – who played competitive football in England for quite a number of years, before returning to South Africa – explained to the boys the importance of donning those colours. “To represent your country and community is the biggest honour you will have. When you’re on the field, respect your opposition but play with no fear, play for that shirt, play your hearts out.”

Also at the farewell was Maccabi rugby coach Kevin Musikanth, who also had some advice for the boys. “Remember that a team that plays for something other than the result, is a hard team to beat.”

And then light-heartedly he added: “You will have the full commitment of the rugby team. They will run onto the field to help you so even if you don’t win the match, you will win the fight after the match!”