The DFB Golden Award has been awarded for the first time at the governing body's special Congress of the German Football Association (DFB) at the Leipzig opera on Friday. Three players of the 1954 Hungarian national team, who lost the World Cup final 2-3 in Bern to Germany were awarded: Ferenc Puskás, Gyula Grosics and Jeno Buzánszky.
Puskás, Grosics and Buzánszky were decorated as representatives of the Hungarian Football Association in evidence of the solidarity and the friendship between the two football nations. Hungarian association president Dr. Imre Bozoky received the award in absence of Puskás. The former captain of the 1954 team was ill.
Golden Award for Michail Kassabov
Michail Kassabov was also decorated with the Golden Award for engaging himself for the friendship between the Bulgarian football association and the DFB for many years. Long before the division between Eastern and Western Europe came to an end, Kassabov abolished barriers in the minds of people and build bridges of trust through football. For many years, he formed and supported the close interchange of the two associations in all areas. Kassabov is also a crucial advisor in the charitable projects the DFB is carrying out through its "Egidius-Braun-Stiftung" in Bulgaria.
Additionally, the Golden Award went to the long time general secretary of the Swiss football association: Edgar Obertüfer. Obertüfer shaped the relation between the Swiss and German association for decades. The co-operation of the two was not only exemplary during good, but also in bad times. After two world wars the Swiss reached out and helped Germany to return to the international football community.
Schaffer encourages reconciliation
Furthermore, Emmanuel Schaffer from Israel received the Golden Award. In the post war era and beyond, Schaffer encouraged reconciliation between Israel and Germany. The German Football Association appreciates to have such an important advocate, who has earned the respect and sympathy of both nations because of his successful engagement for the social dimension of football.
Ken Naganuma of the Japanese football association has cultivated the friendship and partnership between Japan and Germany for many years in all positions he attired during his career: as national player, national coach, as technical director, general secretary, president, honoury president and now as main advisor of the Japanese football association. For his merits Naganuma earned the DFB Golden Award.
Emir of Qatar hounourd for his support of the World Cup application
His Royal Highness, Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, got the award for his support during the awarding process of the World Cup 2006. His son H. E. Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Khalifa took the award for his father, who was not present in Leipzig.
In addition, Julio H. Grondona, president of the Argentinian football association and FIFA's 1st Vice President was honoured. In the many encounters of Argentina and Germany he has always been a reliable partner. The award was also given because of the outstanding role of the Argentinian football during his presidency in last 25 years.
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[bild2]The DFB Golden Award has been awarded for the first time at the governing body's special Congress of the German Football Association (DFB) at the Leipzig opera on Friday. Three players of the 1954 Hungarian national team, who lost the World Cup final 2-3 in Bern to Germany were awarded: Ferenc Puskás, Gyula Grosics and Jeno Buzánszky.
Puskás, Grosics and Buzánszky were decorated as representatives of the Hungarian Football Association in evidence of the solidarity and the friendship between the two football nations. Hungarian association president Dr. Imre Bozoky received the award in absence of Puskás. The former captain of the 1954 team was ill.
Golden Award for Michail Kassabov
Michail Kassabov was also decorated with the Golden Award for engaging himself for the friendship between the Bulgarian football association and the DFB for many years. Long before the division between Eastern and Western Europe came to an end, Kassabov abolished barriers in the minds of people and build bridges of trust through football. For many years, he formed and supported the close interchange of the two associations in all areas. Kassabov is also a crucial advisor in the charitable projects the DFB is carrying out through its "Egidius-Braun-Stiftung" in Bulgaria.
Additionally, the Golden Award went to the long time general secretary of the Swiss football association: Edgar Obertüfer. Obertüfer shaped the relation between the Swiss and German association for decades. The co-operation of the two was not only exemplary during good, but also in bad times. After two world wars the Swiss reached out and helped Germany to return to the international football community.
Schaffer encourages reconciliation
Furthermore, Emmanuel Schaffer from Israel received the Golden Award. In the post war era and beyond, Schaffer encouraged reconciliation between Israel and Germany. The German Football Association appreciates to have such an important advocate, who has earned the respect and sympathy of both nations because of his successful engagement for the social dimension of football.
[bild1]Ken Naganuma of the Japanese football association has cultivated the friendship and partnership between Japan and Germany for many years in all positions he attired during his career: as national player, national coach, as technical director, general secretary, president, honoury president and now as main advisor of the Japanese football association. For his merits Naganuma earned the DFB Golden Award.
Emir of Qatar hounourd for his support of the World Cup application
His Royal Highness, Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, got the award for his support during the awarding process of the World Cup 2006. His son H. E. Sheikh Mohamed bin Hamad bin Khalifa took the award for his father, who was not present in Leipzig.
In addition, Julio H. Grondona, president of the Argentinian football association and FIFA's 1st Vice President was honoured. In the many encounters of Argentina and Germany he has always been a reliable partner. The award was also given because of the outstanding role of the Argentinian football during his presidency in last 25 years.
