"75 Years with Maccabi — and Still Passionate!"

Born in Mumbai, India in 1935, Sam (Samuel) Marshall has been part of our global movement for over 75 years. A lifelong sportsman, leader, and entrepreneur, he has left an indelible mark — not only on the world of international trade, but also on generations of Maccabi athletes.

Sam’s passion for sports began early — from badminton, hockey, football, and boxing in school, to later winning a silver medal in squash and cricket at the Maccabiah. He even made history by becoming the first father-son duo to play tennis doubles in the Maccabiah's Veterans division. 

Sam always believed that a true sportsman embodies resourcefulness, resilience, and the will to succeed — values that shaped both his athletic and professional journeys. Over the years, he led eight delegations to the Maccabiah Games — six from India and two from Singapore. 

His entrepreneurial skills emerged at a very young age, organizing major badminton tournaments in Mumbai with participation of companies like Hindustan Levers, ESSO, Caltex and the Tata Group. 

Sam’s professional path took him from Mumbai to London and eventually around the world, where he became one of the most respected figures in global agri-commodity trade.

Whether on the court or closing a trade, Sam never gave up. Persistence and the will to win defined him. He overcame quadruple bypass surgery and cancer — and still never slowed down. “Impossible” and “tired” are simply words that do not exist in his vocabulary.

 He also never stopped learning. In recent years, after stepping back from the commodities business, he successfully entered the worlds of construction, security, and event management. 

When we asked Sam what Maccabi means to him, his answer was both simple and powerful: "Maccabi means so much to me - 75 years and still passionate! My driving passion has always been to uplift our youth, giving them the opportunity of a lifetime to participate in the Maccabiah and, in many cases, make Aliya. Some people call me the 'Dream Merchant', but I'm simply doing what I've always believed in. My love for Maccabi continues, and I look forward to leading the Indian team once again at Maccabiah 2026". 

Thank you, Sam — your strength and dedication inspires us all. From the entire global Maccabi family, we wish you continued heath, happiness and a heartfelt Mazal tov! We can't wait to welcome you in Israel next summer for Maccbiah 2026!

You can wish Sam a happy birthday directly at: [email protected]