The Israel Tennis & Education Centers have awarded NIS 200,000 in Anna and Michael Kahan Scholarships to four of Israel’s leading tennis players, marking a decade of one of the most significant scholarship programs in Israeli tennis.
The scholarships were awarded to senior player Maayan Laron, the Israeli national champion who trains at the Israel Tennis & Education Center in Haifa; Amit Vales, the Israeli national runner-up who trains at the Israel Tennis & Education Center in Ramat Hasharon; junior player Bar Shporen, who trains in Haifa; and junior player Re’em Elkayam, who trains at the Israel Tennis & Education Center in Ashkelon.
The funding will help the four recipients gain international experience through participation in tournaments abroad, training programs, professional equipment purchases, and a comprehensive support system that includes mental coaching, fitness training, and additional professional services.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Kahan Scholarship Program, which has been supporting outstanding Israeli tennis players since 2016. The program is widely regarded as one of the largest and most meaningful scholarship initiatives in Israeli tennis, enabling talented athletes to compete internationally, gain valuable experience, and advance along the elite performance pathway.
The scholarships are made possible through the generous legacy of Anna and Michael Kahan. Michael Kahan, a Holocaust survivor who immigrated to New York after World War II together with his wife Anna, also a Holocaust survivor, developed a deep love for tennis after his grandchildren began playing at colleges in the United States.
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Motivated by a desire to contribute to Israel’s future, he believed Israeli tennis players could serve as ambassadors for the country around the world and established a foundation to support the next generation of Israeli tennis talent. His vision was clear: to promote excellence, create equal opportunities, and help develop future Israeli champions.
The scholarship program provides recipients with a significant opportunity to compete at the highest levels of the sport, gain valuable international experience, and continue their development toward professional careers while benefiting from extensive professional support.
“It is a day of celebration for us,” said Eyal Taoz, Global CEO of the Israel Tennis & Education Centers. “This scholarship is far more than financial assistance – it is a greenhouse for excellence, breaking boundaries, and realizing dreams in Israeli tennis.”
Yoni Erlich, professional director of the Israel Tennis & Education Centers, said the scholarship recipients represent the future of the sport in Israel.
“These are the moments when we meet the next generation of Israeli tennis,” Erlich said. “It gives players the best tools on the long and challenging road of becoming professional athletes.”
Danny Perekalsky, CEO of the Israel Tennis Association, praised the initiative and its impact on the sport.
“Initiatives such as the Kahan Scholarships are a true blessing for the entire tennis community,” he said. “For Israeli players, the road to the top of world tennis is especially challenging, and support like this can make all the difference.”
Speaking on behalf of the scholarship recipients, Amit Vales expressed gratitude for the support.
“On behalf of all the winners, I would like to thank the Kahan family for their generous support,” he said. “Scholarships like these allow us to keep dreaming big and should never be taken for granted. We greatly appreciate the trust placed in us and are committed to continuing to work hard to justify it.”