Maccabiah Games

The Maccabiah Games (aka World Maccabiah Games, מַכַּבִּיָּה in Hebrew) are a religious based international multi-sport event (including football) held every 4 years for Jewish athletes, organized by the Maccabi Federation. The Maccabiah Games, ranking among the 5 largest sports gatherings in the world (in participants), are considered Regional Games by the International Olympic Committee. Originally conceived by Yosef Yekutieli, a 15-year-old inspired by the 1912 Stockholm Olympic Games, the Games were 1st held in 1932 after 14 years of development by Yekutieli and the Jewish National Fund.