Philippine Azkals coach Hans Michael Weiss was honored by his home country Germany as one of the five final nominees for the German Football Ambassador 2013 for his work in bringing the game of the Philippine senior men’s team to a higher level in Asian football.
Weiss earned about 1,000 Euros for the nomination and he has decided to donate the amount to the grassroots development of Cebu via the Cebu Football Association (CFA).
Roland Bischof, who founded the initiative for Germany to recognize the many coaches and experts who are working in other countries to further develop football in the world, came here yesterday to personally give Weiss his plaque since the German coach was not able to go home last May during the awarding ceremony.
Aside from receiving his plaque, Weiss also turned over his donation to the CFA, who partnered with Sunsport to distribute soccer balls to 11 chosen football clubs in Cebu.
The 11 are Tabor Hills FC, Lahug FC, Warshockz, Canduman FC, Cebu City Central School, Suba Basbas, Minglanilla FC, Inayawan FC, San Roque FC, DB Razkals and Don Bosco Boys Home.
The turnover ceremony was held at the Casino Espanol de Cebu, Inc. yesterday.
“This is wonderful, I am happy about the recognition,” said Weiss, who added that 10 years ago no one cared to notice the many Germans who have been helping developed football in other countries.
As for picking Cebu as the beneficiary for his prize, Weiss said he had no reason to think twice about his choice.
“I chose Cebu because there has been no one else who has been as supportive to the Azkals and the Philippine Football Federation’s (PFF) programs than the CFA.”
Bischof said he came up with the idea for the Germany Football Ambassador back in 2011 under the patronage of legendary German soccer coach Rudi Gutendorf, who coached 20 national teams including the Philippine Women’s team and about 50 clubs.
Aside from Weiss, also nominated were USA team coach Jürgen Klinsmann; Singapore team coach Bernd Stange; Otto Pfister who has coached national teams of Ghana, Bangladesh, Saudi Arabia, Togo and Cameroon; and Holger Obermann, a former football journalist who has worked in Cameroon, Guinea, Gambia, East Timor, Kuwait and Nepal on behalf of the Deutscher Fussball Botschafter.
Although Obermann was named as the German Football Ambassador 2013 last May, Bischof said all five are considered winners for their contribution to the worldwide development of football.
Aside from giving Weiss his plaque, Bischof is also here to observe Weiss here in the Philippines so he can tell those in Germany about Weiss’ work here and how he has been behaving. He said that as Germans, their acts will reflect on Germany.