Erin Levi
On September 28, just days before Rosh Hashanah, Ami Athletics held its first Grand Slichot event, kicking off with a slam dunk for the Bukharian community in Queens. With over 550 attendees and a lineup of prayers, speeches, and the blowing of the shofar, the evening symbolized how Ami Athletics is quickly becoming a full-court press for uniting the community through sports and tradition.
Founded in May, Ami Athletics (www.amiathletics.com) is the first Bukharian athletics center in Queens, bringing together the community through a shared love of sports. What began as a men’s basketball league has expanded to include ten programs serving approximately 300 boys and men ages 4 to 45. The organization’s mission goes beyond athletics; it seeks to promote Jewish cultural awareness and provide a welcoming space for families to come together.
Keynote speaker Charlie Harary emphasized this vision, stating, «It’s an honor to stand before you tonight as we gather to celebrate the spirit of community, athletics, and cultural connection, all made possible by the visionaries who founded Ami.» He highlighted the dedicated individuals behind Ami Athletics—Richie Nektalov, David Nektalov, Ilan Elishayev, Gabby Elishayev, Moshe Sadayeb, Yehuda Nisanov, Ariel Nisanov, Nati Elishayev, and Elan Shamsayev—who share a passion for creating a supportive and inclusive environment for all.
The evening’s Slichot prayers, led by Avi Perets, Shlomi Elishayev, Meir Cohen, and Shimon Deri, further underscored the spiritual connection that Ami Athletics aims to foster alongside physical activity.
Ami Athletics operates out of a renovated basketball gym at the Cheder Yeshiva in Jamaica Estates, located at 173-53 Croydon Rd. «We used to play in a men’s basketball league over at the Central Queens Y, but the timing and court conditions were less than ideal,» said Ilan Elishayev, treasurer of Ami Athletics. «So, we rented out an abandoned gym in a school that was just sold, renovated it, and turned it into what a gym should look like. The community has responded enthusiastically, and the demand has grown so much that we’ve had to reject applicants due to capacity limitations.»
Ami Athletics now offers three leagues—youth, junior varsity, and varsity—set to run from November 3 through January 12, with playoffs to be determined. The sign-up fee is $375, and there’s also a dedicated clinic for skill development for ages 4-8, ensuring that even the youngest athletes can get in on the action. The men’s league has 14 teams, including one from Kaykov Media, while the kids’ leagues boast a total of 12 teams.
In addition to regular programming, Ami Athletics hosts special events with the help of sponsors, such as a sneaker drive two months ago, during which 400 pairs of Nike sneakers were donated to children before the school year began.
As the organization continues to grow, so does its vision of creating a central community athletics center for the Bukharian community. Founder Richie Nektalov shared this ambitious vision with the Bukharian Times, stating, “We’re actively seeking a larger space to establish our first dedicated community sports center.”
«Tonight, as we approach our High Holidays and the prayers of Slichot, we invite you to join us in building a brighter future for our community,» Harary urged. «Through sports, cultural engagement, and collective effort, we can make a lasting impact.»
With every new game and event, Ami Athletics proves it’s not just playing to win—it’s building a dynasty of community and connection, where every member gets their chance to take the shot.
