Strikers agreement with the IDF allows him to serve when he returns to Israel on holidays or when he eventually comes back to permanently live here.
By ALLON SINAIben sahar 88(photo credit: )
Israel international Ben Sahar began his IDF service on Monday morning, but just hours later was already back on the training field with his Israel teammates, preparing for the national team's upcoming 2010 World Cup qualifiers against Luxembourg and Latvia.
The 19-year-old striker, who currently plays at English Premier League club Portsmouth, arrived at the IDF recruitment center in Tel Hashomer on Monday to go through the basic enlistment process like every other soldier, even though his service will be nothing like that of a regular recruit.
Sahar came to an agreement with the IDF that he will serve his country when he returns to Israel on holidays or when he eventually comes back to permanently live in the country.
Sahar's army service had been the subject of much speculation after the Knesset discussed a new law, labeled the Sahar Law, which, had it passed, would have allowed gifted individuals to complete their service abroad.
The law was eventually cancelled in July after the IDF came to a compromise with the Ministry of Science, Culture and Sport that an exceptional talent in sports or the arts would be allowed in special cases to develop his talent abroad and fulfill his army obligations later on in life.
"I'm very proud to be wearing an IDF uniform and I'm happy the army is allowing me to combine my service with soccer," Sahar said on Monday.
Also Monday, Maccabi Haifa goalkeeper Nir Davidovitch was released from the Israel squad due to injury and Maccabi Petah Tikva's Ohad Cohen was called-up in his place.
The change ensures that Deportivo La Coruna's Dudu Awat will start for Israel in the qualifiers on Saturday and next Wednesday, even though he has not played for his club at all this season.
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