Name: Dani Markovits
Board Title: Chief Financial Officer
Age: 32
Originally From: Quito, Ecuador
Position: Striker
Favourite Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Fun Fact: “I had to accelerate my Aliyah process in order for me to be eligible to play in the league. It can be said then that Inter Aliyah was one of the driving forces behind making that huge decision of becoming an Israeli citizen!!”
“I grew up dreaming of living in Israel. So naturally, in 2006, I took a gap year in Israel to explore the country and further my connection with Haaretz. That year helped me fall in love with the country and I knew I'd be back one day.
''After a year in Israel, I moved to Boston, Massachusetts for my studies, but I immediately yearned to be back in Israel. So, after a few years in the States, I decided to finish my studies at IDC – Interdisciplinary Center Herzliya. That decision in 2009 was one of the best I ever made.
Dani representing the club at a Holocaust memorial ceremony with the Mayor of Haifa and at the Israeli Parliament, the Knesset, where we received an award for our contribution to Olim.
“Just as Israel has been a focus for me, football has always been an essential element to my life. In fact, some of my earliest memories involve my older brother, my dad and a ball. I feel very fortunate to have football present in my life to this day.
''I’ve played the beautiful game my whole life, in addition to having it be a central part of my professional career to this day. Through my work at the football news platform 90min, my relationship to football has taken many shapes over the years, but nevertheless, has always been present.”
Dani posing with other founders of Inter Aliyah during our first season in Liga Gimmel.
“I did not realize this at the time, but 90min actually played a major role in the creation of Inter Aliyah. I had the opportunity to meet fellow founders Sam Sank, Jerome Katz and David Schumann during my time at the platform. Conveniently, another founder, Ricardo Horvath, and I have been best friends since we were three-year-olds.
''Furthermore, I’ve known Yona Dorfzaun most of my life and we are now related as our wives are sisters. Realizing a shared vision between all of us, this was an easy connection for me to make. Fernando Zatz and Jaime Kauffman were brought onto the team, and Inter Aliyah began. I consider each of these men brothers for life.
“Throughout my time with Inter Aliyah, I’ve worn many hats as my responsibilities have evolved. At first, I was focused on our marketing efforts however today, I’m more involved on the financial side. Also, now that I’m living in London for a few years, I can’t be in Israel as much as I’d like. So, my focus has shifted more towards finding strategic partners internationally.”
“Watching Inter Aliyah blossom from an idea to a club on the brink of a Liga Gimel promotion with over 100 Olim under our umbrella has been incredibly meaningful for me. In such a short time, we’ve had strong growth, and I can’t wait to see what our future holds.
“Off the pitch, Inter Aliyah is my second family. The relationships we have been able to build inside the organization are very special and unique. It is also a reminder that when you set your mind to something, there is nothing that can stop you.
“Yalla Inter!!
''Dani.''