Veteran Israeli coach Ilan Kowalsky is being named the new head coach of the Palestinian national basketball team.
Kowalsky, who coached the Palestinian team in the past without pay, has received an official offer to head the ball club.
The Palestinians were seeking a coach who can travel with the team to tournaments in Arab countries. Kowalsky, who holds a Polish passport, fits the bill.
Zayed Baransi, a businessman and an Israel Basketball Association official, brokered the deal.
Kowalsky said:
“I was approached a few weeks ago and was asked whether I would be willing to coach the Palestinian national team. I said that if it won’t cause them any problems, why not?…Only sports and culture will bring peace to this region.”
