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Under the motto “German Football Ambassador goes South Africa”, the non-profit organisation DEUTSCHER FUSSBALL BOTSCHAFTER e.V., represented by president Roland Bischof, visited South Africa to support social projects. He was received by German Ambassador Martin Schäfer together with numerous representatives of the South African football community at the German Embassy in Pretoria. Prominent guests include Russel Powell (CEO of the South African Football Association), Sibusiso Zumo (former South African footballer and former German Arminia Bielefeld player), Iris Henkel (Hout Bay United Football Community), Neil Tovey (South African Technical Director National team), and Horst Kriete (German Football Ambassador 2017), were among the numerous guests.
The non-profit organisation combines the appreciation of German coaches and players working abroad with the support of social projects. This year’s winner of the main prize, cult coach Jürgen Klopp, decided to use his prize money to support the HBUFC (Hout Bay United Football Community) social institution, which he had met in person in the past. The UEFA Champions League winner sent greetings from the US, where he is with Liverpool to prepare for the season. Fortunately, Frank Fleschenberg, President of the Munich EAGLES Charity Club e.V., supported their trip to Africa and also the project HBUFC.
Horst Kriete, who played a key role in shaping South African football, was there in person when the “Beyond the Field – Project Horst” social game founded by the South African Football Association (SAFA) was introduced. He clearly felt at home in the circle of long-known faces of the South African football world and said enthusiastically: “Thanks to the SAFA and all my friends here!”
Both social projects are committed to the development of young South Africans, using the power of football. The “Beyond the Field – Project Horst” of the SAFA recognizes the ideas of football introduced by Horst Kriete at the time and thus passes on helpful values to the young people. At the HBUFC, which looks after the children and adolescents in the Hout Bay region in Cape Town, Jürgen Klopp was impressed above all by the great commitment of those responsible.
Roland Bischof, who came specially from Germany for this reception, commented: “During my visit to Jürgen Klopp in Liverpool, I also discovered a self-produced ball of the HBUFC action ‘Joy is Round’ on his shelf with personal honours and memorabilia.”
For the German ambassador Martin Schäfer, who has also been a member of the jury of the DEUTSCHER FUSSBALL BOTSCHAFTER for many years, this year was the second major football reception at the German Embassy after the visit of SV Werder Bremen. He was delighted with his active participation and positive mood. “Football is a universal language that brings together people and cultures, so it is wonderful that the two German football ambassadors Jürgen Klopp and Horst Kriete are crazy about football It is a great pleasure for me to have a very small share in it and to be able to welcome so many football fans from both countries with me.”
