The Special Olympics Saarland Sports Club e. V. was awarded the “Big Star in Silver 2024” as part of the “Stars of Sports” competition. This honor recognizes the club’s outstanding voluntary commitment in Saarland, especially for inclusion and diversity in sport. The award was presented at a celebratory event on October 10th in the Saarland State Chancellery.
In addition to the Special Olympics Saarland sports club, two other clubs received the “Little Star in Silver”: SV Saar 05 Tanzsport e. V. took second place, followed by LTF Theeltal in third place. Sponsorship awards went to the LAZ Saarbrücken e. V., the football club 08 Püttlingen e. V. and FC 1910 Niederlinxweiler e. v.
The “Stars of Sports” award has been presented since 2004 by the Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken in cooperation with the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB). The competition honors clubs that are socially committed beyond their sporting offerings – be it for integration, inclusion, equality or climate protection.
Sports Minister Reinhold Jost praised the Special Olympics Saarland sports club for its outstanding commitment and emphasized the importance of inclusion in sport. “It is important that every person – regardless of their abilities – can be part of the community,” said Jost. The club now qualifies for the next round at federal level and has the chance to win the “Big Star of Sport in Gold” in January 2025 in Berlin, where the awards will be presented by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.
Joachim Tesche, Finance Director of the State Sports Association for Saarland, emphasized the importance of volunteer work and praised the tireless efforts of the Saarland clubs. Carsten Schmitt, board member of Bank 1 Saar eG, emphasized that the competition promotes civic engagement and cohesion in society.
The “Stars of Sports” competition is considered one of the most important awards for German sports clubs and is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
The winning clubs at a glance:
1st place/Big Star in Silver (2,500 euros): Special Olympics Saarland Sports Club e. V. for the “Special Run for Day Care Centers 2024” project, accompanied by Bank 1 Saar eG
2nd place/Little Star in Silver (1,500 euros): SV Saar 05 Tanzsport e. V. for the project “MRIJa – Dream”, accompanied by the Vereinigte Volksbank eG Saarlouis – Losheim am See – Sulzbach/Saar.
3rd place/Little Star in Silver (1,000 euros): LTF Theeltal e. V. for the “Sports Day” project, supported by levoBank eG
Funding prize (500 euros): LAZ Saarbrücken e. V. for the project “VEREIN-T for Democracy”, accompanied by the Vereinigte Volksbank eG Saarlouis – Losheim am See – Sulzbach/Saar.
Funding prize (500 euros): Football club 08 Püttlingen e. V. for the project “Integration through sport for all new citizens and the socially disadvantaged”, accompanied by the Vereinigte Volksbank eG Saarlouis – Losheim am See – Sulzbach/Saar.
Funding prize (500 euros): FC 1910 Niederlinxweiler e. V. for the “Integrative Football Tournament” project, supported by Bank 1 Saar eG.
Die Jury:
Karin Becker, State Sports Association for Saarland e. v.
Christian Bucher, Saarland Ministry of the Interior, Building and Sport
Udo Drechsel, Genoverband e. v.
Etienne Kinsinger, German wrestler
Roland Herget, Vereinigte Volksbank eG Saarlouis – Losheim am See – Sulzbach/Saar
Bianca Kappler, State Sports Association for Saarland e. v.
Klaus Kramny, Saarland State Association for Dance Sports. v.
Thorsten Lang, Saarland Ministry of the Interior, Building and Sport
Aaron Wollscheid, State Sports Association for Saarland e. v.
Thomas Wollscheid, Saarland Radio
