Borussia Dortmund’s Hans-Joachim Watzke receives award for fight against anti-Semitism
Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has been awarded the Leo Baeck Prize for his fight against anti-Semitism. The 65-year-old spoke of “the greatest honour of his life” upon receiving the award in front of 500 invited guests at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.
Watzke received €10,000 which, as reported by Ruhr Nachrichten, will be divided into two equal parts to the Jewish community in Dortmund, while the other half will go to ‘Zusammen1” which is a preventive project by the Jewish sports association Makkabi Deutschland.
The 65-year-old grew up with anti-Semitism in the 1960s and during his time at Borussia Dortmund, has continued the fight. “Football can and must also take a clear position. We need courage and civil courage to do this,” said Watzke, who accepted the award on behalf of all employees, “because everyone has to support this.”
As further reported by RN, Watzke ‘recognised and identified’ the responsibility early on, and he’s a figure that is committed to fighting anti-Semitism. Borussia Dortmund have taken steps within the stadium, but also invited Israeli children, relatives and hostages to the club last year.
Everyone at Get German Football News would like to congratulate Watzke on his award.
