Hungarian PM Orbán Meets Maccabi Games Representatives
- 30 Jul 2019 8:03 AM
- Hungary Matters
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán met in his office representatives of the 15th European Maccabi Games starting in Budapest on Monday, Orbán's press chief said.
The prime minister met Motti Tichauer, chairman of the European Maccabi Confederation, and Jack Terpins, vice president of the Maccabi World Union, Bertalan Havasi said in a statement.
Orbán welcomed that the event has returned to its central European roots after 90 years, noting that the Games had been hosted only once in the region: the first one, held in Prague in 1929.
As one of the world’s safest countries, Hungary is capable and prepared to host events of such dimensions, Orbán said. The prime minister said the government provides protection and support to Hungary’s Jewish community to help them preserve their identity.
Supporting Jewish athletes is an important aspect of this effort, he said.
The Maccabi Games is expected to bring together a record 3,000 participants including 2,300 athletes from 42 countries. It will be the biggest multi-sports event Hungary has ever held.
The event will be formally opened by President János Áder on Tuesday and run until Aug. 7. The Hungarian government has supported the games with 5 billion forints (EUR 15.3m).
MTI Photo: Szecsődi Balázs
XpatLoop Media Partner
LATEST NEWS IN sport