Foundation
"leuchte auf" supports the German national amputee football team
Back in 2014, the BVB foundation "leuchte auf" enabled the German national amputee football team to take part in the World Cup in Mexico. More recently, in October 2017, the squad rose to the challenge of competing in the European Championships in Turkey. "leuchte auf" pledged EUR 8,000 towards the initiative.
The national team was absolutely delighted. Not only to have received another donation from the BVB foundation, but also because they finished in eighth place at the finals and subsequently secured direct qualification for the 2018 World Cup. This achievement was made possible by a dominant performance in the 5-2 defeat of Georgia in the decisive match. The two teams had previously drawn 1-1 when they met in the group stages.
"We're proud of the eighth-place finish and the resulting qualification for the 2018 World Cup in Mexico," said coach Claus Bender of his team's achievement, before subsequently revealing his main priority for 2018. "We want to make the promotion of amputee football within Germany a priority in the coming year and win over new players for our sport," said Bender. "leuchte auf" wishes the team every success with this initiative and hopes that the recent European Championships succeeded in arousing lots of interest for the sport.
As well as the BVB foundation, Borussia Dortmund is directly involved in disabled sport as a club too. Since 2016, there has been a blind football department at the club. Speaking in this context, President Dr. Reinhard Rauball highlighted the importance of social inclusion back in November 2016 when he said: "The idea of inclusion has long been part of our daily life in society. BVB should represent a home for as many people as possible. People with disabilities especially should be able to be actively involved in sports in society at large. In blind football, where sighted and blind people play together, this inclusion takes place in a completely natural way."
For information about "leuchte auf", please visit: