Kahan scholarships help Israeli tennis champions dream big

The Israel Tennis & Education Centers (ITEC) have awarded NIS 200,000 in Anna and Michael Kahan Scholarships to four of Israel's leading tennis players, celebrating a decade of significant support for the sport. This year's recipients include Maayan Laron, the Israeli national champion; Amit Vales, the national runner-up; junior player Bar Shporen; and junior player Re’em Elkayam.

The funding is designed to provide these athletes with crucial international experience through tournament participation abroad, specialized training programs, and the acquisition of professional equipment. Beyond financial aid, the scholarships offer a comprehensive support system encompassing mental coaching, fitness training, and other professional services essential for elite athletic development.

This marks the 10th anniversary of the Kahan Scholarship Program, which has been instrumental in supporting outstanding Israeli tennis players since 2016. The program is recognized as one of the largest and most impactful scholarship initiatives in Israeli tennis, empowering talented athletes to compete on the global stage, gain invaluable experience, and progress along the elite performance pathway.

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This scholarship is far more than financial assistance – it is a greenhouse for excellence, breaking boundaries, and realizing dreams in Israeli tennis.

The scholarships are made possible by the generous legacy of Anna and Michael Kahan. Michael Kahan, a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to New York with his wife Anna, developed a passion for tennis later in life through his grandchildren's college play. Motivated by a desire to contribute to Israel's future, he envisioned Israeli tennis players as national ambassadors and established the foundation to nurture the next generation of talent, aiming to foster excellence and equal opportunities.

Eyal Taoz, Global CEO of ITEC, described the scholarship as "a greenhouse for excellence, breaking boundaries, and realizing dreams in Israeli tennis." Yoni Erlich, professional director of ITEC, highlighted that the recipients represent the future of Israeli tennis, stating, "These are the moments when we meet the next generation of Israeli tennis. It gives players the best opportunity to succeed."

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These are the moments when we meet the next generation of Israeli tennis. It gives players the best opportunity to succeed.