Local Hoops: Nahariya players to play - without pay

Nahariya's roster had gone on strike after the club's management said last week that it still could not afford to pay January's salaries.

By ALLON SINAI
ironi nahariya 88 (photo credit: )
ironi nahariya 88
(photo credit: )
After a four-day strike, Ironi Nahariya's players decided on Friday that they would play for the team in Sunday's BSL game at Bnei Hasharon. Nahariya's roster went on strike after the club's management said last week that it still could not afford to pay January's salaries. However, on Friday the players met with Israel Players Association chairman Nir Alon and accepted his recommendation to halt their strike and return to training on Saturday and play in Sunday's game in Ra'anana. Nahariya chairman Avi Sabag claimed last week that the club was facing bankruptcy after sponsor Iscar decided not to transfer the NIS 1 million it promised to give Ironi at the start of the season. Ironi Ramat Gan will look to register the surprise of the night when it hosts Hapoel Jerusalem on Sunday. Ramat Gan has won its last two league games and has won five of nine games under coach Amir Uzi after starting the season with five straight losses. Jerusalem defeated Bnei Hasharon last week, rebounding from its league defeat to Maccabi Tel Aviv and the disappointing State Cup semifinal loss. Ironi Kiryat Ata claimed its first victory since the end of October last week, but will in all likelihood return to losing ways when it visits top-of-the-table Maccabi Tel Aviv on Sunday. Also Sunday, Ironi Ashkelon, which has won just once in seven games, hosts Maccabi Givat Shmuel, a winner in four of its last six league encounters. On Monday, Hapoel Holon hosts Maccabi Rishon Lezion and Hapoel Galil/Gilboa, which has lost three straight, visits Maccabi Haifa. On TV: Ironi Ramat Gan vs. Hapoel Jerusalem (live at 8:25 p.m. on Sport 5)