One of the longest working football trainer in the world will be honored for his sporting and social commitment on the 8th May.
The football globetrotter has trained 24 clubs and national teams in 19 countries around the globe during his 57-year career.
Football is his religion, his politics, his international understanding.
The football globetrotter and one of the longest working football coaches in the world is by far the number one in the intercultural league of the football world. He has experienced and survived everything: war, misery, poverty and dictators. Otto Pfister is 80 years young, the national trainer of the Afghan national team and has worked for 24 clubs and national teams in 19 countries around the globe during his 57-year career. He speaks four and a half languages: German, English, French, Spanish and a little Arabic. But he speaks another language perfectly: the non-verbal language, which is based on respect, tolerance and empathy in interpersonal understanding. That is why the German Football Ambassador is honoring Otto Pfister with the 2018 Honorary Award for his extraordinary sporting and social commitment. The award will be given in person by Foreign Minister Heiko Maas at the Federal Foreign Office in Berlin on 8 May 2018.
Football is his religion, his politics, his international understanding
Roland Bischof, founder of the Association of German Football Ambassadors, comments: “I hardly know anyone who, with his adaptability and serenity, always demonstrates positively the interest and above all the respectful treatment of the people, culture, religion and mentality of the respective country. Football is his religion, his politics, his international understanding.”
Football is his profession, his passion, his life mission
Football is his life. The native of Cologne acquired his football teacher’s license in his hometown and visited the coach legend Hennes Weisweiler. In the meantime, Otto Pfister himself has become a legend. The football globetrotter trained a total of twelve national teams, eight of them on the African continent alone. That is why he enjoys a special fame and recognition for his sporting success.
In 1992 his commitment was awarded with the title of “Trainer of the Year” in Africa after he reached the final of the African Championship with Ghana’s national team. With the Egyptian club Zamalek Otto Pfister became champion and cup winner of the Africa Cup for the first time in the club’s history in 2000. From 2003 to 2005 he won several titles in Tunisia, Lebanon and Sudan. During the 2006 World Cup in Germany, he managed the national team of Togo. In 2008 Pfister led his team into the final as national coach of Cameroon and became vice African champion.
Honor to whom honor is due.
This year again, the award ceremony of the German Football Ambassador Association will take place for the sixth time on 8 May 2018, where five of events have taken palce at the Federal Foreign Office. As the highlight of a year-round commitment, the association honours German trainers and players who contribute to the positive image of football and Germany through their sporting and social commitment abroad. To date, more than 25 sustainable projects in 15 countries have been supported. In addition to the honorary prize, a jury of experts will select the winner of the “Trainer” category and the audience of the “Player” category. Some of the supporting partners are for example the Federal Foreign Office and the Goethe Institute as well as the sports magazine kicker, Deutsche Welle, GOAL, setone, Argus Data Insights, MC Group and SID.
