Sergio Ramos has a namesake. A 5-year-old Israeli Druze boy was lovingly named after him by his father Haiel Sitawe. Just three weeks after young Ramos was born, however, his father Haiel, a policeman, was murdered by a terrorist on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.
Yesterday Sergio, in Israel to play for PSG in the French Super Cup, thanks to philanthropist Sylvan Adams and the Comtec Group, was reunited with Ramos, who was delighted to see his superstar.
Philanthropist and businessman Sylvan Adams, together with the CEO of Comtec Group, Daniel Benaim (who together brought the French Super Cup to Israel), held a festive reception at the Tel Aviv Hilton Hotel for all the PSG players.
The players met the children of the “Save a Child’s Heart” association, which has brought children over from an incredible 64 countries to have life-saving heart surgeries in Israel.
At the beginning of the reception, Sylvan Adams said: "Welcome to Israel, we are excited to welcome you here. Tel Aviv is one of the most exciting and fun cities in the world, I hope you will have the opportunity to tour it. Enjoy the food, enjoy the restaurants. Israel is open, patient, democratic and a very safe country."
Adams went on to tell the players about the children from SACH: "I want to explain to you about the amazing children you are meeting today. This is an incredible organization, which Leo has met with before. ‘Save a Child’s Heart’ is the true heart of the State of Israel. The children come from different countries, mainly from Africa, but the association also treats and cares for the Palestinian population - both from Gaza and the West Bank. The children who come here are diagnosed with severe heart defects and are operated on here in Israel, staying for the duration of their recovery. The children’s parents also come with them. The treatment is free of charge, vital for undeveloped countries that do not have the conditions for life-saving treatments as such. If they don't receive this medical treatment, their lives will be significantly shortened. This organization is Israel’s big and great heart.”
The players were very moved by the warm welcome and meeting the children, who came from different countries, among them: Tanzania, Zanzibar, Rwanda, Chad, Kenya, and Zambia. They are currently in Israel for heart surgery at the Sylvan Adams Children's Hospital.
The players, including the stars Neymar, Messi, and Ramos, met the kids, talked to them, and signed their shirts and soccer balls. During the meeting, while focusing on the incredible children and their stories, Messi and Neymar emphasized that they are happy to be back in Israel.
Save a Child's Heart is an Israeli organization saving the lives of critically ill children suffering from heart disease in countries where access to pediatric heart care is limited or nonexistent. By bringing children to Israel for medical care, performing missions abroad, and training medical personnel, we are bringing hope to families, communities, and countries. Furthermore, half the children who have been treated have been Palestinian children. As Israel's preeminent humanitarian organization, we are transforming pediatric cardiac care around the world.
