“She has to break through the barrier before every practice and deal with her environment who don’t like the fact that she is playing in Israel, but she does.”
Mirna Sayeh, 22, will play this Sunday evening under the colors of the Jerusalem basketball team against in the match against the club of Elitzur Ramla, thus becoming the first Palestinian player in the history of the women’s first division.
“Throughout the season we checked with her when she would be ready to play in the Premier League and on two occasions we came close to signing her up and she herself said she was not ready yet,” explained his trainer Ohad Gal. “Now she is ready and should have the opportunity to gain Premier League experience.”
Gal also spoke about the difficulties Sayeh has to overcome: “She already came to the club last season when we were in the league and it was much more difficult for her. She doesn’t speak Hebrew and it was difficult for her to Now that we’re in the Premier League, training is in English and it’s easier for her,” he said.
“She is very connected with foreign players and has even taken them on tour to Bethlehem. She has to cross the barrier before every practice and deal with her environment which does not like the fact that she plays in Israel, but she does. . We understood that she was here to go a long way,” he added.
