German football ambassador

The German Football Ambassador ( sic ) initiative was founded in 2011 by Roland Bischof . Since March 2016, the German Football Ambassador has been active in the form of a non-profit organization. It honors German coaches and players for their commitment and reputation abroad. As an intersection between sport and culture, the commitment is further promoted and expanded and the positive image of Germany abroad is further strengthened.

concept

The awards are presented once a year in three categories. The first awarding of the respective categories took place on May 13, 2013 in Nuremberg . Since then, the awards have been given at the Foreign Office in Berlin in the presence of the Federal Foreign Minister ; until 2016 Frank-Walter Steinmeier , 2017 Sigmar Gabriel and 2018 Heiko Maas . In addition to the award, social and societal projects are promoted and brought into focus in a media-effective manner. The aim of the initiative is to bring different cultures, religions and people together through football and to convey values such as respect, fair play, acceptance and tolerance.

Awards ceremony - categories

German football ambassador award ceremony

As part of the annual award ceremony at the Foreign Office in Berlin, the award is presented in three categories. The jury makes the choice in the “Trainer” category and the honorary award; the winner in the “Player” category will be determined publicly in an online voting. All prize winners and the nominees for the main prize receive prize money with which they support social and societal projects in their respective countries.

Main prize in the "Trainer" category

Three active or inactive trainers are nominated. The winner is chosen exclusively by the jury and announced at the award event in May of the respective year.

Main prize in the "Player" category

11 active German football players who work abroad are nominated. The winner is chosen by the public in an online voting.

Honorary award

The honorary award is given to a German coach or player abroad for exceptional commitment.

criteria

The engagement is assessed using different criteria; these can be, for example:

The reputation of the person in the country of activity
The sporting success in the country of activity
The lasting effect in sports
Integration into the cultural and social structures in the field of sport
The person's perceived connection with Germany
Strengthening the contact and exchange between Germany and the country of activity

Patronage & supporters

The legendary coach Rudi Gutendorf was the patron of the German Football Ambassador initiative . In addition, other prominent personalities, u. a. Doris Fitschen , Uwe Seeler , Urs Meier , Lutz Pfannenstiel , Rainer Holzschuh , Steffi Jones , Karl-Heinz Rummenigge , Dietmar Hopp or Horst Hrubesch the idea and the work of the association.

Award winners

2019

Trainer: Jürgen Klopp
Player: Marc-André ter Stegen
Honorary award: Bernd Schuster

2018

Trainer: Gert Engels
Player: Loris Karius
Honorary award: Otto Pfister

2017

Trainer: Horst Kriete
Player: Bastian Schweinsteiger
Honorary award: Miroslav Klose

2016

Trainer: Gernot Rohr
Player: Emre Can
Honorary award: Karl-Heinz Schnellinger

2015

Trainer: Jürgen Klinsmann
Player: Mesut Özil
Honorary award: Thomas Hitzlsperger

2014

Trainer: Monika Staab
Player André Schürrle

2013

Trainer: Holger Obermann
Player: Sami Khedira
Honorary award: Dettmar Cramer

Project work worldwide

Enable social development through CSR projects. The winners and nominees use their prize money for various funding projects in their countries of assignment. The focus is on development work with children and young people. Projects have been implemented in the following countries, among others: