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BY DAVID SAFFER Israel is to participate at the Invictus Games Dusseldorf 2023.

The Invictus Community of Nations announced Israel, Colombia and Nigeria as new members bringing the total to 23 countries around the world.

A total of 21 nations will take part in the global even in Germany.

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, is Patron of the Invictus Foundation and has made it a global success. He announced the sixth games will take place September 9-16 next year.

“We are very grateful for the warm welcome,” said Limor Luria, Deputy Director General and Head of Israel’s Ministry of Defense’s Rehabilitation Department. “It is a pleasure to take part in the important work of the Invictus Games Foundation, share our own experience in the sports recovery field, and learn from the community. We were also very happy to be invited to participate in Dusseldorf.”

She added, “Being a part of the Invictus community will provide more opportunities for recovery among veterans who were wounded or became ill whilst serving. In Israel, we have learnt a great deal about the importance of physical activity as a positive catalyst for recovery and rehabilitation. We look forward to sharing our experience, and learning from the other nations, in this uplifting and supportive community.”

Adv. Edan Kleiman, IDF Disabled Veterans Organisation Chairma, added, “We are proud to take part and represent the State of Israel. Wounded Israeli servicemen and women, who are shining examples of perseverance in rehabilitation and excellence in sports, will continue to honourably represent Israel. We witness daily the important role that sport plays in strengthening not only the body but the spirit, enabling people to regain their lives. No less important is the wonderful opportunity to bring together wounded war veterans from other countries to form life long bonds of camaraderie.”

Tzipi Hotovely, UK Ambassador of Israel, expressed her delight that Israel was invited.

“This adds another layer to the profound relationship between our two nations, with a focus on civil society cooperation,” she said. “This is an extraordinary community that will allow Israel as well as Israeli veterans not only to connect with their counterparts from around the world, and participate in a wonderful event, but also to share knowledge and expertise that Israel has gained in the fields of rehabilitation, mental health and community spirit.”

Dominic Reid, CEO of the Foundation, added, “I’m excited to be exploring additional programmes of activity to allow even more nations to benefit from Invictus. Israel have a long standing respect for the power of sport in recovery and I’m pleased they are joining our wider community this year.”

German Minister of Defence Christine Lambrecht, noted, “The games are a unique international sports festival promoting diversity, friendship and mutual exchange. Israel and Germany are bound by close friendship and Israel’s participation is going to underline that special relationship between our two nations.”

Dusseldorf 2023 will bring together over 500 competitors to compete in a series of adaptive sports. Events will be held in and around the Arena Sportspark over the week. The last day of competition is Rosh Hashonah. No announcement has been made if Israel athletes will compete that day.

“The German games look set to provide a fantastic experience for the competitors, their friends and family,” said Sir Keith Mills, former Chairman of the Foundation. “Taking the Games to Dusseldorf will allow the German hosts and the competitors to continue to inspire those watching or attending and build respect for serving personnel or veterans with wounds, injuries or illnesses.”

Brigadier General Alfred Marstaller, Dusseldorf 2023 Project Leader, commented, “A growing number of servicemen and women will have an opportunity to experience Dusseldorf 2023 as a home for respect for the sacrifices they have made for their countries.”

Israel joins Invictus Games

Nigeria will not participate but will benefit from membership by developing their sports recovery programmes. The new community structure for the Foundation enables access by member nations’ wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans to the wider programme of activity. BY DAVID SAFFER Activities are available all year round and allow smaller nations or nations newer to Reiss Mogilner scored six goals as Maccabi sport recovery programmes to experience London Lions thumped Scrabble A in the the power of sport, esports and adventursecond round of the Cyril Anekstein Cup. ous challenge ahead of future participation

Th e Premier League side racked up a 16-0 in a Games. win with Daniel Green and Michael Kenley Prince Harry was inspired to bring the both bagging a hat-trick. Ed Brafman, Da- Invictus Games to London after visiting the vid Dinkin, and Adam Hassanali complet- Warrior Games in America 2013. ed the rout in a mismatch of a tie. The Duke of Sussex founded the Games

Lions could have scored in the opening as it is an important part of a broader legacy minute of the clash but soon opened the of support, through on-going care, trainscoring and led 9-0 by half time. ing and employment opportunities, to the

Th e Division One team, though out- well-being of men and women who have classed, battled away to the end. served their country.

Lions boss was lost for words at full time The Foundation was set up post London such was the display from his team who 2014 to oversee the delivery of the Games gave every respect to the opposition. and continue to support its international

“I’m not really sure there’s anything to community. say, we are happy to make it through to the Since London hosts have been Orlando next round of the cup,” he commented. 2016, Toronto 2017 and Sydney 2018. Fol-

Hendon United Sports ran out 3-1 victors lowing The Hague and Dusseldorf the event against League One outfi t North London moves to Vancouver-Whistler in 2025. Raiders. Current participating nations are Austral-

Th e Premier side led early in the second ia, Belgium, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, half only for Raiders to equalise but struck Estonia, France, Georgia, Germany, Italy, two late goals to book a place in round Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Netherlands, New three of the competition. Zealand, Poland, Republic of Korea,

Hendon now turn their attentions to the Romania, UK, Ukraine and USA. league as they travel to Oakwood A for a Additional members of the crucial top of the table clash on Sunday Invictus Community of (10am). Nations are Afghani-

Daniel Kristall’s team stunned the league stan and Nigeria. leaders last month when they won 2-0, a victory would move them to within a point of Hendon with a match in hand.

Elsewhere in the latest round of fi xtures, 10-man North London Galaxy made it a three-way title race in the only Division One clash of the day after defeating Oakwood B.

Jamie Murray saw red early on but Galaxy rallied with goals from Josh Cohen and Jacob Leigh to record an important 2-1 away win.

Galaxy head Redbridge Jewish Care A in the table by just one point after 10 matches, third place Fairlop FC are fi ve points behind with two games in hand.

Rafi Bloom scored for Oakwood.

“It was a fantastic performance in a must-win game,” commented Galaxy player-manager Luke Lewis. “We sat back and allowed Oakwood the ball, given the one-man advantage and looked to hit them on the counter attack with pace. “Both goals came down the right-hand side. Leigh crossed the fi rst one into Cohen to fi nish, before slotting home himself. Up to fi rst we go.” Th e Division Two title race also took a twist with league leaders Herstwood Vale going down to a 2-1 defeat at Temple Fortune. Faithfold B have played a game more than Vale but moved level with a 5-3 win at North London Raiders Masters. Jacob Kalms struck twice for Fortune who scored through leading scorer James Milletwith his 17th goal of the season. Th e result was all the more remarkable as Temple were down to 11 players with ‘keeper Ben Rebuck dislocating a shoulder in the warm up. “Th is was a fantastic win given the circumstances,” said delighted Fortune boss Simon Linden. “We had a number of players out, Rebuck got injured, so I couldn’t have asked any more from the players. We wish Ben a speedy recovery. “It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner. It’s a big win, one we will enjoy and we hope to build on it in 2019.” He added, “Th is win marks 50 years as a football club and will be one Nigel Kyte and everyone associated with the club from day

Sixteen-goal Lions rout Scrabble in Cup “It was a proper old school performance, we battled and defended for the 90 minutes and took our chances. Experience proved to be the winner.”

one will enjoy.” Vale boss Jacob Emanuel was quick to wish Rebuck well following his injury. “First and most importantly, everyone at Vale would like to wish the Fortune ‘keeper a quick recovery, we hope to see him back on the football pitch as soon as possible,” he said. As for the defeat, Emanuel commented, “It doesn’t matter how big a squad you have, you can never account for unavailability or injury. Only fi ve of today’s team played in our recent win over FC Team, a lack of togetherness and poor individual

16-goal Maccabi London Lions PHOTO: DAVID SAFFER Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex is Patron of the Foundation PHOTOS: SHUTTERSTOCK