Saxon Sports Clubs Honored for Social Commitment in “Stars of Sports” Competition
Six sports clubs from across Saxony were recognized on Monday, November 24th, 2025, for their outstanding contributions to society, receiving awards as part of the prestigious “Stars of Sports” competition at the state level. The awards, presented in Dresden’s BallsportARENA, highlight the vital role sports organizations play beyond athletic achievement.
The “Big Star of Sports in Silver,” accompanied by a €2,500 prize, was awarded to VfB Eilenburg eV for its innovative “FairPFIFFEN” project. Two clubs received the “Small Star of Sports in Silver” and corresponding €1,500 prizes: Basketball Club Vogtland eV and SC DHfK Leipzig eV. Additionally, Athletic Sonnenberg eV, SV Schönau-Berzdorf eV, and BSC Motor Rochlitz eV – Taekwondo department were recognized with sponsorship awards of €500 each. These winning organizations distinguished themselves among 87 competitors throughout the state.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Saxon State Minister of the Interior Armin Schuster, Volksbank Riesa eG board member Markus Ziron, and Prof. Dr. Almut Krapf, Vice President of Sports Development/Popular Sports at the Landessportbund Sachsen e. V. Amateur boxer and Olympic participant Maxi Klötzer also extended her congratulations, while Radio Dresden’s André Hardt served as the event’s host.
The “Stars of Sports” competition, a joint initiative of the Volksbanken and Raiffeisenbanken and the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB), celebrates projects focused on integration, sustainability, health, and youth development. At the state level, the Genoverband e. V. organizes the award ceremony in collaboration with the respective state sports associations.
“The ‘Stars of Sport’ show year after year how much creativity, passion and sense of social responsibility there is in our Saxon sports clubs,” stated a senior official representing the state government. “I would like to thank the countless volunteers for their outstanding commitment, which makes our club system come alive. With targeted support and continuous support, this commitment will remain sustainable in the future.”
Mark Ziron, representing Volksbank Riesa eG, added that the competition, often referred to as the “Oscar of popular sports,” recognizes the “indispensable voluntary commitment” within society. “The award-winning clubs stand for values such as solidarity and responsibility – cornerstones of the cooperative idea,” he said.
Prof. Dr. Almut Krapf emphasized the impact of these clubs, noting they “move people – both sportily and socially.” She added, “Behind every project there is a huge amount of passion, great team spirit and countless hours of voluntary work. They impressively show how diverse, creative and effective club work can be in Saxony.” She expressed optimism for VfB Eilenburg’s chances in the national competition.
VfB Eilenburg’s winning “FairPFIFFEN” project aims to foster respect among young referees, providing them with support and training to navigate the challenges of officiating. The club offers resources, including workshops and role-playing exercises, to promote positive behavior from spectators and parents. All materials are freely available on the club’s website, serving as a model for other organizations.
The Basketball Club Vogtland’s “Give violence a basket – From the street to the heart of the Vogtland region” initiative transformed a public basketball hoop into a community hub, bringing together individuals from diverse backgrounds, including radicalized youth, street workers, police officers, and refugees. The project has even spurred the creation of a new 3×3 basketball team.
SC DHfK Leipzig’s “COURAGE DOES GOOD – Strong together!” program addresses the growing issue of violence against children, offering preventative training to preschool and primary school students. Through playful exercises and role-playing, children learn conflict resolution skills, assertiveness, and emotional intelligence.
The three sponsorship award winners also demonstrated impactful initiatives. Athletic Sonnenberg eV’s “Avanti Gym” provides a safe space for martial arts training, actively combating the co-option of combat sports by right-wing extremist groups and fostering inclusivity. SV Schönau-Berzdorf eV’s “SuperHeroRun” combines a charity obstacle course with fundraising for organizations like the Children’s Arch of Saxony and the German Bone Marrow Donor File (DKMS). Finally, BSC Motor Rochlitz eV – Taekwondo department strengthened team spirit and community bonds through a celebratory training camp marking their 20th anniversary.
VfB Eilenburg, as the recipient of the “Great Star of Sports in Silver,” will automatically advance to the national competition, with the opportunity to win gold on January 26th in Berlin, where awards will be presented by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. A video recording of the Saxony award ceremony is available on MDR’s website.
The collective €6,500 in prize money awarded to the six clubs underscores the value placed on their contributions, and serves as a testament to the power of sports to drive positive social change within the Free State of Saxony.
