OVER the past three years, Jewish sporting activity in some parts of Africa has experienced a remarkable transformation, which is marked by a rise in youth participation and the steady growth of organized friendly competitions. In Nigeria, for example, what was once limited to occasional football matches during periodic youth Shabbat gatherings has evolved into regular sporting programs led by Jewish-owned and community-based clubs. Teams such as Maccabi FC Nigeria and Harachman FC have emerged as pioneers of this movement, helping to place structured Jewish sports back on the communal agenda.

Beyond football, other disciplines have also gained visibility. Athletes are now participating in relay races, volleyball, swimming, and table tennis, particularly among Nigerian Jewish communities. Outside Nigeria, women’s netball teams in Uganda and various sporting initiatives in Eastern Africa, like long-distance racing in Kenya, further demonstrate the territorial expansion of Jewish athletic activity on the continent. Together, these developments reflect a growing recognition of sport as a tool for youth development, discipline, and communal pride.

The Maccabiah has been organized by the World Maccabi Union since its inaugural tournament in 1932. The Games, often referred to as the “Jewish Olympics,” occur every four years and have seen more than 20 editions. They currently attract Jewish athletes from around 80 countries worldwide. Although there are long-established indigenous Jewish communities in Africa, the continent has historically experienced limited participation. This narrative is starting to evolve as African Jewish athletes increasingly position on the path towards international competition, including prospective participation in future Maccabiah Games.

Competing at this Olympic level requires consistent training, professional skills, and physical fitness. In response, a structured football initiative was launched in Nigeria to provide players with access to organized coaching, and regular football activities for youth development. Based in Abuja, Maccabi FC Nigeria was created as a national platform for Jewish footballers residing in the region, and eventually became one of the first African Jewish teams to prepare for potential participation in the Maccabiah, thereby hoping on making history in Jewish football.

Last year, during the build-up to the Maccabiah, their chances of participating in the football activities in the group stage became slimmer due to certain underlying factors and timing. But, by the time the Maccabiah postponement was announced on the 16th of June, 2025, something bigger was taking shape in the continent. It was like an awakening, and we saw inside the formation of the Maccabi African Confederation, Africa’s biggest Jewish sporting revolution.

Through networks such as the Sub-Saharan African Jewish Alliance (SAJA), Jewish athletes from several African countries and potential teams ready for organization came into the limelight. Much of this momentum has been inspired by the consistent advocacy of the Maccabi Nigeria Union, which has pushed for greater inclusion of African athletes in international Jewish competitions. To support this vision, country representatives and regional coordinators have been identified across sub-Saharan Africa, laying the administrative and managerial foundation for broader participation.

Following extensive consultation, organizers concluded that Africa required its regional and continental competition as a stepping stone toward international tournaments. This led to the decision to plan and host a maiden edition of the Maccabi Pan-African Tournament, MPAT, designed to bring together Jewish teams from across the continent in a structured and symbolic sporting event.

At the time of the first official announcement, three football teams had already indicated interest in participating in the tournament, which is scheduled to be hosted in Nigeria. The most recent club to join this list is Xriso Sporting FC, an Abuja-based side managed by Shlomo Yaakov, a chazan at Gihon Hebrew Synagogue. His efforts have led to the establishment of a training partnership between Xriso Sporting FC and Maccabi FC Nigeria.

Under this arrangement, players from both teams share training facilities and participate in joint practice sessions, enabling increased match exposure and improved fitness levels. The collaboration is intended to create a shared football environment in which players train together, play side by side, face each other in friendly matches, and gain valuable competitive experience ahead of the Pan-African tournament.

On 4 February, two defensive players from Maccabi FC Nigeria, Shimon and Chayim, featured alongside Xriso Sporting FC in a friendly match at the Sports Complex Stadium, which ended in a 4–4 draw. Continuing a few days later, on 8 February, Xriso Sporting FC secured a 4–2 victory against the visiting Peculiar Football Academy. These matches form part of a broader schedule of weekly fixtures designed to sharpen performance and build match fitness in preparation for the proposed pilot edition of MPAT.

As Nigeria prepares to host this historic event, interested athletes and teams are now able to register through the official platform of the Maccabi Nigeria Union. The tournament is expected to feature multiple sporting competitions, including football, tennis, swimming, relay races, and other track and field events. Participation will include both male and female athletes, with delegations anticipated from more than ten African countries.

While an initial date had been proposed, organizers have since adjusted the timeline, opting to hold the tournament after the Maccabiah in Israel. The period of Sukkot 5787, corresponding to September 2026, has been identified as the most suitable timeframe. This adjustment is intended to allow sufficient time for wider participation, improved planning, and the mobilization of financial and logistical support.

With these developments, the Maccabi Pan-African Tournament is shaping up to be more than a sporting competition. It represents a continental statement of unity, ambition, and a new frontier, offering African Jewish athletes a platform to compete, connect, and contribute to the growing legacy of Jewish sport on the continent.

The post Maccabi Pan-African Tournament: Xriso FC Set to Compete, Other Latest Updates. first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

NIGERIA is set to make history during Pesach 5786 as it hosts the maiden edition of the proposed Pan-African Maccabi Tournament, a landmark multi-sport event bringing together athletes from communities across Africa. Scheduled to take place in Akwa Ibom State in southern Nigeria, the tournament represents a historical turning point in the development of professional Jewish sports on the continent and aligns with the broader vision of strengthening African participation within the global Maccabi movement, which has been going on for nearly a century.

The Pan-African Maccabi Competition is planned as a multi-day sporting festival, featuring various competitive games including football, tennis, lawn tennis, badminton, swimming, and track events such as relay races. The tournament has been intentionally designed to accommodate both talented male and female athletes, reinforcing inclusivity, equal opportunity, and active youth engagement across African Jewish communities.

Football will serve as one of the tournament’s central highlights. Four of the Jewish-owned football teams in the country are set to participate: Harachman FC, Maccabi FC Nigeria (Maccabi FCN), Mehamitzrach FC, and the National Team. If just these four teams show up, the competition will be a round-robin format, with each team playing against the others in the group stage. The top two teams will move on to the final based on the outcomes of the matches, while the remaining teams will compete in a third-place playoff, ensuring meaningful participation and competitive balance for all sides.

Beyond football, female athletes will play a prominent role in the tournament. Young women are expected to compete actively in track events, particularly relay races, which would include 200M and 800M, as well as in badminton, highlighting the growing presence and importance of women in Jewish sports development across Africa. These events will showcase athletic talent and encourage broader female participation in organized sports within Jewish communities. Additionally, these events will foster the establishment of professional women’s teams in various sports like volleyball, basketball, netball, and even football going forward.

The tournament is set to commence on April 5, featuring an opening ceremony at the host stadium venue. Athletes, team officials, community leaders, fans, and invited Maccabi representatives from various regions of Africa will parade in their colors and official flags. The organizers of the games anticipate attendees from over 10 African countries, giving them the opportunity to observe some days of Pesach in Nigeria alongside the sporting activities. The opening ceremony will celebrate unity, cultural pride, and sportsmanship, setting the tone for five days of competition and communal engagement. The sporting activities that will take place throughout the tournament period will no doubt foster interaction, learning, and shared experiences among participants.

In addition to competition, the Pan-African Maccabi Tournament serves a strategic purpose as a talent scouting and development platform. A core objective of the initiative is to prepare African athletes for future participation in the Maccabiah Games in Eretz Israel. By exposing athletes to structured competition and continental-level organization, the tournament aims to raise standards, strengthen discipline, and integrate African Jewish athletes more effectively into the global Maccabi framework.

The event will conclude with a closing ceremony celebrating achievements, recognizing outstanding performances, and reaffirming the long-term vision of sustained Jewish sports development across the continent. Awards and reflections will underscore the tournament’s broader mission—building unity, confidence, and opportunity through sports. The end, which would be coinciding with the final day of Pesach, will feature a banquet to mark the end of the games. There would also be a cultural performance by the women of the Akwa Ibom Jewish organization. During the 5-day period, organizers plan to hold a seminar, workshop, and an official meeting to unveil the proposed Maccabi African Confederation, a continental body that will shape the Jewish sporting revolution in Africa.

To support both the tournament and future initiatives, organizers are developing a dedicated online platform through which intending athletes will be able to register their interest, select the sports they wish to participate in, and receive official updates regarding schedules, venues, and participation guidelines. This platform is expected to play a key role in coordinating athletes across borders and ensuring the sustainability of Pan-African Maccabi activities.

Shortly after returning from Uganda, I met with Yatov Ben Israel in Lagos, spending a couple of days together. Our initial engagement focused on the sorting and distribution of Judaica books to about 30 synagogues in Nigeria, which had arrived from South Africa, generously donated by members of the Jewish community, especially in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Our discussions later expanded to cover ongoing planning, consultations, international coordination, and preparations for the upcoming Pan-African Maccabi Tournament. He hinted about his next travel plans, which were strategic and necessary.

“I will be returning to South Africa to continue consultations with the Maccabi South Africa Union, which will play a significant role in this pilot edition of the Pan-African Maccabi Tournament holding in Nigeria. We are also planning a media visit to Israel as part of our efforts to promote the tournament and canvass for support. With the strength of our networks and the support of partner organizations, preparations to achieve a successful Passover sporting outing are already underway. Let the games begin.”

Against this backdrop of motivation and growing continental collaboration, the phrase “Let the Games Begin” was adopted as the official theme of the Nigeria 5786 sporting festival. If successful, the competition is also intended to lead to the official unveiling and formation of the Maccabi African Confederation, MAC—a continental body envisioned to power a new era in African Jewish sports development and coordination. Without doubt, this inaugural edition is more than a sporting competition; the Pan-African Maccabi Tournament embodies the spirit of Pesach—the Festival of Freedom—symbolizing movement, growth, and new beginnings. It marks the start of a new chapter for Jewish sports in Africa, grounded in unity, opportunity, and a collective continental future.

The post Nigeria to Host the Inaugural Pan-African Maccabi Tournament (Pesach 5786) first appeared on African Jewish Voices.

IN RECENT times, the practice of Judaism by many Jews living in Sub-Saharan Africa has expanded beyond Shabbat and festivals, which are the main religious aspects of the faith. It has notably evolved into areas like sports development, media ownership, philanthropy, entertainment, and tourism. Education at different learning stages is springing up, as well as adaptation of technology in tackling food insecurities and cases of climatic change.

In the area of sports and youth development, history will soon be recorded among African Jews as a new Jewish organization, tentatively known as the Maccabi African Confederation (MAC), is on the verge of revolutionizing sporting activities on the continent. The organization will be an offspring and affiliate of the Maccabi World Federation—a Jewish organization that uses sports to empower sports-loving Jewish lads—when it finally becomes a reality.

The proposed formation is a historic step toward uniting African Jewish sports under one formidable umbrella. According to the organization’s proposal document, the organization will ensure the strengthening of Jewish identity around Africa through athletic excellence. It will also foster talent collaboration to ensure that African Jews’ full representation within the global Maccabi movement is actively efficient.

We cannot over emphasize the impact of the proposed MAC organization on African Jewish communities. As a continental organization, it is evident that it has the potential to make a significant impact on both existing and emerging Jewish communities in Africa. With a focus on promoting Jewish identity, community engagement, and sports excellence, the body can provide a platform for African Jewish youth to develop their skills, build confidence, connect with their heritage, and escape some of the limitations and challenges that are still prevalent in this part of the world.

If recognized and formally launched, Maccabi African Confederation involvement in African Jewish communities will help address some of these challenges. The formation of the confederation will provide both stakeholders and supporters with a powerful tool to transform expectations of the African Jewry into reality. By providing access to sports training and competitions, the platform will help young people develop important life skills, such as teamwork, discipline, and perseverance. Additionally, emphasis on Jewish identity and community engagement can help young people connect with their heritage and build a sense of belonging as they become a part of the global Jewish sports community.

The potential benefits of MAC’s involvement in African Jewish communities are not only significant but also promising. These benefits include the promotion of Jewish identity and the idea of inclusivity irrespective of affiliation, race, or region. The organization’s outlined programs can help young people develop a stronger connection to their Jewish heritage and community. Therefore, build a stronger and more connected, flourishing community across the continent in the long run.

The historic formation of this sporting organization, currently awaiting formal recognition and approval, has already in its background sighted prospects in numerous African countries that were previously undetected by the Maccabi World Union radar. Currently, active football teams from various Jewish communities exist in Nigeria, while basketball and netball activities thrive in Uganda. Kenya organizes track events, indoor games like table tennis, and outdoor court games like lawn tennis. Dedicated Jewish leaders in Ethiopia, Cameroon, and Ghana are prepared to contribute their efforts towards the recruiting and development of sports in their respective countries.

The proposal to form the organization and officially affiliate with the Maccabi World Union was conceived and proposed by the Maccabi South Africa Union. However, it all began after a sports editor of an Israeli newspaper stumbled upon an article, “Making History in Jewish Football,” by Eben Cohen, published on the African Jewish Voices. In the weeks that followed, after back-to-back interviews and fact-finding, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper headline in Israel broke the news, which eventually got many people talking.

From Nigeria to the Maccabiah: Nigeria’s Jewish soccer team aiming to compete in Israel. The Igbo Jewish community, claiming to be descendants of a biblical Israelite clan, hopes to play against other teams in Israel and cement their Jewish status in what’s known as the “Jewish Olympics.”

With other Israeli news outlets picking up on the trending information, Ros Goldin, a former director of the Maccabi South African Union, reached out, offering guidance to see things through. The push for the historic inclusion of the Nigerian football team got underway with Ros and Cliff Garrun, the head director of the Maccabi Union in South Africa. However, due to limited timing for formal application and the structural fixation of the already participating football teams, getting onboard didn’t look feasible. But with the breakout of the 12-day Israeli/Iranian war, the unexpected yet necessary decision was taken by the Israeli government— Maccabiah postponement: now scheduled for 2026.

Further discussion followed, going beyond Nigeria and South Africa, as our radar beamed light on the other parts of the continent, revealing the sporting landscape of sporting activities across most parts of sub-Saharan Africa. The fact that the Jewish population exists from one country to the other means that Jewish sporting activities are also developing at a rapid pace. The discussion led to the ultimate question— why is there no Maccabi Continental platform that can organize these Jewish talents into one-fold, just as obtainable in other parts of the world, such as the United States, Europe, and Asia?

Examining the extent of activities at the continental level reveals a variety of sports involving male and female participants, as well as age-group engagement, all contributing to a growing number of active participants. The South Africa Maccabi organization has a long-established history of active participation in various sports and has consistently attended the Maccabiah Games in Israel since the event’s inception.

In Nigeria, the Maccabi Football Club is already formidable, taking the lead in getting prepared to reap the benefits that will come with the official recognition of the Maccabi Africa Confederation (MAC). The team comprising youths from Gihon Hebrew Synagogue and Tikvet Israel Synagogue has been the most active football team in West and Eastern Africa, preparing and hoping to participate in future editions of the Maccabi Olympics in Israel. The team is actively training, organizing friendly matches in Abuja, and recently featured in a football match during the Camp Sarah 2025 held in Abuja, the capital of Nigeria.

Another active Jewish team is Ha’arachaman FC in the southern part of the country. It is owned by the Beth Ha’arachaman Jewish Community in Akwa Ibom State. It was among the 32 teams that participated in a state government-sponsored football tournament in 2024. The team regularly plays friendly matches with other teams in the neighborhood to keep players fit and ensure they have adequate playing time, helping them to improve significantly. Mehamizrach FC and the National Jewish Youth Team, based in eastern Nigeria, are among the other Nigerian football teams. Both teams usually meet during the quarterly national youth Shabbat gatherings to compete against each other in a football match that has 100% Jewish identity

A women’s netball team is currently active in Uganda, East Africa. And on the other hand, a male basketball team is gearing up for formation in the country, aiming to form the first-ever Jewish basketball team in the region. There is also a swimmer and chess player available to compete in Uganda. Kenya hosts Jewish athletes in table tennis and lawn tennis, as well as long-distance runners, all of whom are Jews from the Jewish communities. In Ethiopia, they have longdistance race athletes and swimming activities on the island of Madagascar off the east African coast. In Morocco, there exist football activities too, while Ghana and Zimbabwe are developing frameworks to establish football teams within their respective countries.

In a conversation with Avraham Ben Abraham, the director of media and communication for Maccabi FCN, he emphasized the significance of the initiative to establish the Maccabi Africa Confederation. He stated that young African athletes can discover a route to professional play in Europe and America through sporting tournaments held on African soil or in Israel. Avraham stated that if they succeed in establishing the African Confederation, a new frontier will emerge, presenting numerous opportunities for young Jews aspiring to engage in sports.

“We are embarking on a new journey in community development through sports. Success in the creation of MAC (Maccabi Africa Confederation) would be unprecedented.”

The Maccabi African Confederation will serve as a continental body that unites, coordinate, and represent Jewish sporting organizations and individuals. And if successfully created, the organization will be a recognized platform that will promote Jewish identity through sports and foster unity among African Jewish communities through a well-organized sports and cultural exchange.

According to the document proposing the formation of MAC, which was made available to us, the Confederation is on a mission to revolutionize Jewish sports participation across the continent as they focus on encouraging community ownership, youth engagement, inter-country collaboration, and partnerships with established sports institutions. Furthermore, the organization is poised to make a lasting positive impact on the Jewish world through sports.

In August 2025, after a series of months of online meetings with progressive discussions between the Nigerian Maccabi management and their South African Union counterparts, who oversee the continent and official representatives to the Maccabi World Union, the first meeting in Johannesburg was held. The SAJA (Sub-Saharan African Jewish Alliance) network and the African Jewish Voices effort were instrumental in discovering most Jewish athletes across several countries. This initiative was praised as a historic move, even though it is still a work in progress; the athletes embraced the vision, and country representatives volunteered to manage and enhance their community sporting activities. The countries with existing sports teams are commencing revitalization awareness, while those with none are putting effort into organizing talented youths to form teams.

During the strategic meeting in Johannesburg, Jator Abido, Executive Director of Maccabi FC Nigeria and Head of SAJA’s International Working Committee, sat with Cliff Garrun to advance discussions on the proposed MAC formation and explored practical pathways toward its establishment. The growing presence of Jewish athletes and active sporting activities across Africa provides a strong foundation for forming a continental confederation. With hundreds of athletes already engaged in different sports, the momentum for a unified Maccabi structure is steadily gaining ground.

Speaking after his return from South Africa, Jator expressed deep optimism about the outcome of the meeting. He noted that the discussion also featured virtual participation from Avraham, media director of Maccabi Nigeria, who joined online from Kenya, where he was working on identifying and organizing country coordinators in East Africa and beyond as part of the wider MAC groundwork.

“The meeting was wonderful,” Jator emphasized. “We raised important issues about structure, planning, and how to ensure that every country progresses together. While some communities are already organized and advancing in sports development, others will require assistance, particularly in areas such as training, athlete recruitment, and sponsorship. Financial sustainability remains essential, as sports development cannot succeed without it.”

Generally, the progressive report so far looks promising. However, long-term success hinges on sustainability and engaging all age groups in different sports. Active collaboration is key, providing grounds for regular training, just as seen by Maccabi FC Nigeria’s recent partnership with Xriso Sporting FC, a football club in Abuja, to share training facilities and engage in friendly matches to allow players more training time and improve their performance and skills. Other teams should absolutely emulate this type of partnership.

Furthermore, the existence of Jewish owned primary and secondary schools in Uganda, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Cameroon would ensure a continuous supply of young athletes, securing the sustainability of the Maccabi program. Large-scale media and promotion are equally instrumental in increasing visibility and attracting supporters, sponsors, and global donors. Both regional and country coordinators selected as volunteers need to give their best by holding their responsibilities firmly, keeping teams motivated and performing, while awaiting the establishment of this proposed territorial organization.

In summary, it is essential for Jews worldwide to back the Maccabi African Confederation because of its considerable potential influence on Jewish communities in Africa. This organization is set to both organize and host upcoming African Maccabi tournaments while also creating opportunities for more African athletes to participate in the Israeli Olympics in the future. Likewise, the confederation aims to assist young individuals in African Jewish communities in creating a more promising future for themselves and their communities. This goal will be achieved through access to sports training and competitions, the promotion of Jewish identity and community involvement, and the encouragement of life skills development.

The post Africa’s Jewish Sporting Revolution: Inside the Formation of MAC first appeared on African Jewish Voices.