News
It is a great pleasure for the Sepp Blatter Foundation to be able to present the 2016 Award, with prize money of CHF 25,000, to the Musikdorf Ernen Festival.
The beautiful and emotional celebration took place on 2 August 2017 in the historic Tellenhaus in Ernen in the presence of the Sepp Blatter Foundation board members, President of the Musikdorf Ernen Society Anton Clausen, Artistic Director Francesco Walter, President of Ernen Christine Clausen, as well as representatives of the municipality and the Musikdorf Ernen Festival and was accompanied by music from concert pianist Paul Giacometti.
The Sepp Blatter Foundation would like to reinforce the cultural importance of the festival in Switzerland and abroad with this award. It is not obvious that such high-quality classical music would be played in this beautiful, picturesque village of Ernen and has been since 1974!
Sepp Blatter pointed out the parallels between music and football. Both bring people together and are full of emotion. He was especially thrilled that the 2016 Award went to Goms, the area he comes from.
After presenting the award, we enjoyed the first orchestra concert in the church. It was a feast for the ears for us all.
You can find more information about the Musikdorf Ernen Festival at: www.musikdorf.ch
2016 award
It is a great pleasure for the Sepp Blatter Foundation to be able to present the 2016 Award, with prize money of CHF 25,000, to the Musikdorf Ernen Festival.
The Sepp Blatter Association is supporting Valais women's football with the 2015 award.
The passion and desire of Football Féminin Valaisan to offer girls and women in Valais a footballing platform convinced the entire Board of Management. It decided unanimously to present the award endowed with CHF 25,000 to this project. The money is to be used exclusively to promote and strengthen the current presence of women's football in Valais.
The date and venue of the presentation of the award will be announced shortly.
2015 award
The Sepp Blatter Association is supporting Valais women's football with the 2015 award.
The statutes of the Sepp Blatter Foundation were amended at the end of 2016. The purpose and objectives of the Foundation have been adjusted in order to support even more people, institutions and clubs. This is in future also to be possible well beyond the borders of the benefactor's home canton.
Amendment to the statutes
The statutes of the Sepp Blatter Foundation were amended at the end of 2016. The purpose and objectives of the Foundation have been adjusted in order to support even more people, institutions and clubs. This is in future also to be possible well beyond the borders of the benefactor's home canton.
João Havelange has passed away.
As the Olympic Games take place in his home city of Rio, he has left us today, 16 August 2016, at the age of 100 and three months.
Besides his Olympic spirit, João Havelange will of course be remembered for his life in football, which culminated in his accession to the presidency of FIFA at the Frankfurt Congress in June 1974 – the post he occupied until 1998.
His ambition was to make football a global game, calling it the "universal language". He succeeded. From February 1975, I had the personal honour of following him on his quest, helping to develop FIFA into the organisation it is today.
Football thus owes him a huge debt of gratitude. I thank him for the trust he gave me in achieving his objective.
The name Havelange will always be synonymous with the development of football – and with the Olympic movement, to which the Estádio Olímpico João Havelange in Rio is testament. Thanks to João Havelange, football is the world's leading sport – not only from a social, cultural and economic perspective, but also in terms of its political impact.
Rest in peace, João. Football – your passion, my mission – is in good shape. You should be proud.
And thank you, João. My deepest sympathy and condolences to your family, especially your charming wife Ana Maria.
Tribute by Sepp Blatter, former President of FIFA to João Havelange
João Havelange has passed away.
Obergoms, 1 August 2016 – The Sepp Blatter Tournament, which was held in Ulrichen each year over the past 18 years in honour of the former FIFA President, will be replaced by a new attractive event starting in 2017. A new concept is currently in the works by the organisers.
Sepp Blatter finds strength in his home of Valais, and is rooted in his home municipality of Obergoms. Since his election as FIFA President in 1998, the municipality has held a tournament in his honour. This year, the Sepp Blatter Tournament will not be held, representing a break for the first time in the event's 18-year history. Sepp Blatter: "I am no longer FIFA President, which is why the tournament also needs a break."
The organisers hope to host their honoured, long-standing guest in future and plan to let the event, which has become a sort of area tradition, live on with a new profile starting from next year. OK President Philipp Blatter: "The tournament has become a permanent fixture on the sport and social event calendar of Goms. Guests came not only from the region itself, but from all over Switzerland and even from neighbouring countries. Thanks to Sepp Blatter and the renowned football players who participated, media representatives came to Goms from all over the world."
Christian Imsand, President of the municipality of Obergoms, underscored the importance of the event: "The tournament had great economic significance for the entire region. Hotels and restaurants hosted a large number of guests. Regional suppliers and town organisations were integrated into the festival organisation. And the entire tourism region benefited from the international media coverage."
For these reasons, OK and Obergoms have promised to hold an attractive new event in 2017, the form of which, however, has yet to be decided. The organisers are currently discussing their options and will create a new concept.
One thing is certain: Sepp Blatter, citizen and honorary citizen of Obergoms will continue to be a leading figure of the event. He added: "For me, the Sepp Blatter Tournament was like milestone, chiselled into my career; it connected me to my roots and my home, and gave me strength. I am pleased that it will be given a new form and held in future, even after my time with FIFA. And I will be sure to attend!"
More information under:
Sepp Blatter Tournament takes a break
Obergoms, 1 August 2016 – The Sepp Blatter Tournament, which was held in Ulrichen each year over the past 18 years in honour of the former FIFA President, will be replaced by a new attractive event starting in 2017. A new concept is currently in the works by the organisers.