NBA Stars Travel to Israel as Ambassadors of Goodwill

NBA greats, both past and present, traveled to Israel this week on a goodwill mission. Among them were Allan Houston and Dwight “Superman” Howard, who led a basketball clinic for teens. Said Allan Houston, “We’ve been honored to be here and show our support for not just these wonderful kids and students out here, but just for all the Israeli people that have embraced us.”

The trip was sponsored by both Christian and Jewish organizations. Said Bill Alexson, head of the Sports Power International, “I take these players across the globe. We do exhibition games; we do camps, clinics, school assemblies, and urban outreaches. And at all of these events, selected players will share their personal stories of how they have overcome adversity in life, how they have handled success. They will encourage young people to make right choices in life. And their talks emphasize having character, leadership, responsibility and faith.” Of course, the trip is a learning experience for both sides.

On Wednesday, the Israeli delegation met with Shimon Peres, who received a signed basketball before setting up one of his aides with the assist. Yes, the 87-year-old president has still got it.

Later that day, Omri Casspi participated in the Twinned Peace Sports Schools Project, a part of the Peres Center for Peace which brings Palestinian and Jewish children together. The “twinned” refers to the fact that students have pen-pals and counterparts, or “twins” at the school across the border. During the school year, Jewish students learn Arabic and Palestinian students learn Hebrew, but its on the court that they come together as one. Children from both sides of the border meet once a month with their “twin” school or kindergarten and participate in sports activities (including mixed-groups of basketball games), acquaintance games, and peace education  activities. Other collaboration activities include language instruction, arts and crafts, and theater.

“My experience has shown me that basketball has the power to bridge language, cultural and religious differences and I am happy to be able to share my experience with the children from the Peres Center for Peace’s Twinned Peace Basketball Schools project in Jaffa,” said Casspi.

Said Tami Hay-Sagiv, Director of the Sport Department at the Peres Center, “I am thankful to Omri Casspi for his willingness to take part in the annual event of the Twinned Peace Basketball School project. His participation will help us teach the children the values of equality and dialogue among all people, whether they are Jews, Arabs, blacks or whites.”

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