“Ball des Sports in Riegelsberg: Honoring the Most Successful Athletes and Volunteers Since 1984”

Riegelsberg. The “Ball des Sports”, one of the largest sporting events in Saarland, took place again after two years in the Riegelsberghalle. The most successful athletes, volunteers and organizers in the community of Riegelsberg have been honored since 1984.

More than 600 spectators – children, parents and grandparents – wanted to be there when their family members were honored.

All athletes who had achieved the first three places in individual and team competitions at German championships and Saarland championships in 2022 were awarded. Of course also league teams for the championships they have won. The community also attaches particular importance to honoring the honorary trainers, trainers and referees who have worked without pay for more than 25 years.

In his welcome address, Mayor Klaus Häusle emphasized, “With this event, we want to give our athletes the ceremonial recognition they deserve. Because they make up our church life”.

At this 37th edition, 150 athletes from eight clubs were honored on the large hall stage. They stood ready next to the stage and were called out in blocks by SR3 moderator Thomas Braml. It was routine for him. After all, it was the 37th ball of the sport for him. The organization with Martin Wendel, Lukas Huwig, Horst Pelzer, Ulf Jänicke, Ludwig Dryander and Réne Selzer ensured that everything ran smoothly. Especially the people behind the stage thanked Mayor Häusle and with applause from the audience.

The junior cheerleaders of the Saarland Hurricanes were well received with artistic dances. The performances by the Bootz-Ohlmann dance school with loud modern music, which are well worth seeing, received thunderous applause from the many young people. The active and junior guard of the Riegelsberg carnival society “I’ll stay like this” had obviously brought many supporters with them. The applause didn’t want to stop. The gymnasts of the TV Pflugscheid-Hixberg, who are also role models in the Turngau Saarbrücken, inspired with various gymnastics exercises combined with acrobatics and show dance. It was really worth seeing and they got a big round of applause.

Although Riegelsberg is a smaller community with about 15,000 inhabitants, it is the leader with its wrestlers in Germany. Mayor Häusle was particularly pleased to honor four winners at the German championships: Maurice Uwe Roos (German champion in Greek-Roman wrestling, Erwin Pluschnik (German champion in freestyle wrestling). Both from KV 03 Riegelsberg. Plus Louisa Fries and Jennifer Schulz (both from TV Pflugscheid-Hixberg) who became German champions in the sport of “Aerial Hoop” (acrobatics on a ring).

The next honors were given to three athletes for winning a silver medal: Jessica Lindner (KV 03), Gwen Villard and Lara Steinmann (both TV Pflugscheid-Hixberg) at German championships.

Another five athletes won a bronze medal at German championships: Paul Riemer (KV 03), Fynia Münch, Jule Schneider, Jule and Lilli Petzinger (all TV Pflugscheid-Hixberg). Because of the many winners, moderator Braml interviewed the trainer Sarah Meier, who reported on the daily training work in the club with the children and young people. The athletes of the Heusweiler-Riegelsberg diving club were also honored for their achievements.

The highlight of the Sports Ball was the show by the Magic Artists. First of all, all the children who were sitting in front of the stage had to clear their place for safety reasons. The group was founded in 1995 in Saarlouis by Katja Kirsch with gymnasts from the Saarland. The unique show with singing, dancing and acrobatics always inspires the audience. The light and fire effects in particular were really impressive. The children were amazed at what you can do with fire. The artists and Katja Kirsch received appreciative applause. At the end, Katja Kirsch encouraged the whole room to do gymnastic exercises. Of course, everyone was happy to take part.

Lothar Beach