MGB announce UJIA as GB Team Sponsor

Maccabi GB has continued its preparations for next summers 18th Maccabiah Games by announcing UJIA as the official team sponsors. Maccabi GB plans to take their largest ever squad to the Games in Israel in July 2009. This announcement is further evidence of the new strategic alliance that the two organisations launched at the end of last year and meets both organisations objectives in supporting the long term future of British Jewry whilst supporting the centrality of Israel.

UJIA Chief Executive Douglas Krikler said, "I am very excited about UJIA being the principal sponsor of the Great Britain team attending the 2009 Maccabiah Games, which including supporters will number over 1,000 people travelling to Israel. We are looking forward to engaging with the friends and family of the athletes whilst they are in Israel to show them the breadth of our work with young people and education in the north of Israel and the regeneration that we are spearheading in the region. In addition Maccabi GB is looking to develop the Israel side of its educational work so this is a great platform to start from."

Maccabi GB Chief Executive Martin Berliner added, "Our partnership with UJIA has got off to a great start and this is strengthened by UJIA being the main sponsor for Team GB's participation at the 18th Maccabiah Games in Israel. Maccabi GB are committed to investing in our community and the Maccabiah is a huge community event with almost everyone knowing someone who will be involved with the Games. It really is a unique and life changing experience representing your country whilst also having the opportunity to endorse your Jewish Identity in Israel. "

The Maccabiah Games is the largest gathering of the Jewish Diaspora in Israel with up to 10,000 athletes representing the 57 countries from every corner of the globe. The Opening Ceremony which takes place at the Ramat Gan Stadium, in front of 40,000 spectators including the President and the Prime Minister of Israel is televised worldwide and will take place on Monday July 13th 2009. The event is the third largest sporting event in the world in terms of numbers of participants.

The Maccabiah, known as the Jewish Olympics is a unique sporting and educational experience and although the event is primarily for elite athletes the quality varies within the 32 sports. Great Britain will be taking a team of over 500 athletes, managers and coaches.