Cliff Richard: From Wimbledon to Nazareth
Veteran British pop star, philanthropist takes to tennis court with Israeli Arab youth at Nazareth Tennis School he helped establish
Over 100 Israeli Arab children aged 8-18 who take part in the tennis program greeted the British benefactor, joined by the Mayor of Nazareth Ramiz Jaraisy and President of the Israel Tennis Association Dr. Ian Froman
'Sowing good seeds for the future' (Photo: David Katz)
(Photo: David Katz)
(Photo: David Katz)
Richard, who had watched Andy Murray beat Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon earlier in the week, said: “When I first heard about The Freddie Krivine Foundation and its aim to bring Israeli Jewish and Arab children together, I needed no persuasion to be involved.
"Building bridges between communities is always admirable. To do so via my favorite sport, tennis, was just a perfect concept for me. Arab and Jewish children playing sport together with all that means in terms of healthy competition, confidence and camaraderie can only sow good seeds for the future.”
According to former Brit and Director of the Freddie Krivine Foundation Jane Krivine, “Sir Cliff’s visit to the Nazareth Tennis Center, just days after the Wimbledon Championships, is the highlight of the tennis year for the 200 Arab children at the school.
"My late father, a former president of the Israel Tennis Association, established the foundation 15 years ago to promote co-existence and equal opportunity in Israel through tennis.
"Today, we have eight tennis schools in the Israeli Arab sector around the country, a co-existence tennis school in Beit Hanania and many tennis programs and tournaments that bring together Israeli Arab and Jewish youth. And with many of our graduates now working as tennis coaches, we are offering employment as well as empowerment.”
