Squash star questioned at airport
Canadian squash legend Jonathan Power delayed for hours at Ben-Gurion Airport upon arriving in Israel to promote sport, raise money for sick kids
Canadian squash legend Jonathan Power arrived in Israel on Saturday for a three-day visit meant to promote the sport and raise money for terminally ill kids – but instead of a warm welcome was met with the unpleasant scrutiny that the Ben Gurion Airport is famous for.
During his visit, Power, a three-time squash world champion, is planning to play against Israeli squash players and hold other squash activities. He has promised to donate all proceeds from ticket sales to the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Power arrived at Ben Gurion Airport on Saturday afternoon, but it was a long while before he was free to leave. The athlete was told he must wait to be questioned, and wait he did – for several hours.
"I still can't understand why they delayed my entrance," he told Yedioth Ahronoth.
"Delaying a sports legend of his caliber is like delaying soccer player Lionel Messi or the NBA's Kobe Bryant," said Tomer Gorsky, CEO of the Israeli Squash Players Organization. "This is certainly an embarrassment."
After all, Gorsky said, Power's visit was a planned one, and BGA received all the necessary paperwork ahead of time.
"It’s not like he just came out of nowhere," he noted.
A comment could not be obtained from the Population and Immigration Authority, but Power's delay could be linked to the fact he has been to Pakistan for tournaments.
Show must go on
Since retiring from competition, Power has been running a squash academy in Canada, a center that is considered one of the best in the world. He was recently approached by his friend Mitchell Goldhar, the owner of the Maccabi Tel Aviv soccer team, who promised to match any proceeds from Power's Israel visit, thus doubling the donation to Make-a-Wish. The organization helps kids with life-threatening medical conditions to fulfill some of their dreams.
After finally being granted entrance to the Jewish state, Power visited the south of the country. On Sunday he was expected to play against Goldhar in an exhibition match in Raanana. He was also set to compete against former Israeli champions, and hold training sessions with top teenage squash players.
The unpleasant incident at the airport did not appear to dampen Power's enthusiasm for his trip, and for doing the right thing.
"I am very excited to be visiting here first time," he said.
