Yaounde: Israel donates didactics sports kits to Be’eri tennis club.

It was the Israeli Ambassador to Cameroon, His Excellency Amnon Kalmar, who handed the donated items to the beneficiaries who included primary and secondary school learners.

Speaking before handing over the items, the diplomat recounted the motivation behind the donation.

The Ambassador who has come to the end of his diplomatic sojourn in Cameroon explained that: “The Be’eri is one of the communities that was attacked on October 7, 2023. Be’eri suffered so much during the October 7 attack…”.

“We found this opportunity to remember the people killed in the kibbutz (communities) in front of the Gaza Strip,” the Israeli envoy added.

It should be noted that since 2023, commemorative events have been organized every year in memory of victims of the Hamas attack. 
“…this year, the Embassy of Israel felt it was appropriate to offer support to the children at the tennis club named after one of the kibbutzim in Israel that was severely affected by the attacks of 7 October,” the embassy said in a statement.

“This donation will help support the Centre's learners' academic work and boost their motivation to play table tennis, as they are the champions of tomorrow,” it also mentioned.

It recalled that: “In July 2025, the Israeli Embassy was proud to donate sports equipment for the creation of the table tennis club called Be’eri”. 

It was not the first time the Embassy of Israel was donating to a sport facility. In September 2024, the Embassy of Israel, it should be recalled had offered a huge consignment of sports kits to the TKC Handball Club and the football sports academy of the Yaounde-based legendary football powerhouse.

The donation, it was said, was aimed at boosting the development of young football talents in the country. The kits were symbolically received by global football legend, Albert Roger Milla, who sits atop TKC Handball Club.

The donation, it was disclosed, was part of a longstanding relationship between Israel and the Roger Milla Foundation, an initiative of Albert Roger Milla. The items donated included amongst others several balls, jerseys and boots.

Speaking shortly after handing the important donation, Ambassador Amnon Kalmar, said the promotion of sports was at the centre of relations between Cameroon and his country.

The senior diplomat explained that: “Sports is a great opportunity to cooperate and promote good relation between two countries. We arranged this event together Ambassador Roger Milla. For us, it is a very nice opportunity”.

Quizzed on why the partnership with the Roger Milla Foundation, the diplomat was explicit.

He said: “Because Roger Milla is the biggest soccer player in the world. Everybody knows him here in Cameroon and around the world. He is the face of football and an inspiration for young children”.

Earlier, Roger Milla who is also Cameroon’s Roving Ambassador, had thanked Israel for the support. He said the donation was not only timely but will go a long way in helping TKC Handball Club maintain its lead position. 

The Israel Embassy and the Roger Milla Foundation, it should be said, enjoy a long and solid friendly relationship. 

Marked by the remarkable work of international football legend and Cameroon's Roving Ambassador, Roger Milla, the Israeli Embassy has always sought to develop the potential of the cooperation and to promote the ideals and values defended by “Coeur d’Afrique” Foundation. 

Several cooperation initiatives have been carried out between the two institutions. Such initiatives include an official visit in August 2017 of Roger Milla to Israel. He was received as an official guest of the State of Israel. 

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3924 of Tuesday September 29, 2026