Projects
In 2013, the Sepp Blatter Foundation decided on an exceptional basis to present its award – for the second year running – to a humanitarian-social institution in the Upper Valais in recognition of its extraordinary commitment and dedication to helping people with special needs. The 2013 award, which was once again worth CHF 20,000, was presented to the insieme oberwallis association. Founder Sepp Blatter and Foundation President Niklaus Furger presented the award and cheque to the President of insieme oberwallis, Edith Nanzer, at a small ceremony held in the auditorium of the curative school of Glis that was also attended by the entire Sepp Blatter Foundation Board of Management as well as by representatives of the Brig-Glis local authority and a number of students and insieme oberwallis residents.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the association, which is involved with people with special needs in the Upper Valais. The association works in cooperation with the canton and a number of other parties to provide these people with a special programme, which the association also helps to finance. The association’s main focus areas are:
- Curative services
- Special education
- Work and activities
- Living
In his address, Founder Sepp Blatter congratulated insieme oberwallis and thanked everyone involved with the association for their excellent and invaluable support. He also touched upon the importance of hope for everyone, using football as an example by saying that every defeat is always accompanied by the hope of victory in the next match. He said that he was delighted that his foundation had been able to make a small contribution towards supporting the association in the pursuit of its objectives.
More information on insieme oberwallis:
2013 award
In 2013, the Sepp Blatter Foundation decided on an exceptional basis to present its award – for the second year running – to a humanitarian-social institution in the Upper Valais in recognition of its extraordinary commitment and dedication to helping people with special needs. The 2013 award, which was once again worth CHF 20,000, was presented to the insieme oberwallis association. Founder Sepp Blatter and Foundation President Niklaus Furger presented the award and cheque to the President of insieme oberwallis, Edith Nanzer, at a small ceremony held in the auditorium of the curative school of Glis that was also attended by the entire Sepp Blatter Foundation Board of Management as well as by representatives of the Brig-Glis local authority and a number of students and insieme oberwallis residents.
Each year, the Sepp Blatter Foundation, which was founded in 2006, presents an award to a project in the Upper Valais in recognition of its extraordinary humanitarian or sporting merits. This year, the 20,000 award was presented to Martinsheim, an elderly persons’ home in Visp. The award, which is worth CHF 20,000, was presented in the presence of Sepp Blatter, who, together with the Foundation Board, has been impressed by Martinsheim’s social commitment.
Sepp Blatter: “I congratulate Martinsheim on their wonderful work as well as everyone involved in this exemplary project. Martinsheim does some excellent work and shows a high level of professional expertise in taking care of its residents. I am delighted that our foundation is able to make a small contribution towards the continued well-being of the residents and towards maintaining the high level of care they receive.”
Last year, the Sepp Blatter Foundation award was presented to the Wiler and Kippel communities in the Lötschental region, whose football pitches were severely damaged by serious floods. Having examined the various dossiers that were submitted, the Board of Management decided on 30 October 2012 to give the 2012 award to Martinsheim in Visp, which offers around 100 residents a genuine home. The elderly residents are provided with round-the-clock loving care and attention in accordance with their individual needs, with the focus always being on each person’s quality of life and well-being.
For more information, visit www.martinsheim.ch
2012 award
Each year, the Sepp Blatter Foundation, which was founded in 2006, presents an award to a project in the Upper Valais in recognition of its extraordinary humanitarian or sporting merits. This year, the 20,000 award was presented to Martinsheim, an elderly persons’ home in Visp. The award, which is worth CHF 20,000, was presented in the presence of Sepp Blatter, who, together with the Foundation Board, has been impressed by Martinsheim’s social commitment.
At its last meeting, held in the local council chambers in Visp on 31 October 2012, the Board of Management of the Sepp Blatter Foundation congratulated Niklaus Furgler on his re-election as the Mayor of Visp and presented him with a symbolic gift in the form of a specially embroidered foundation pennant.
The Board of Management wishes him all the very best and every success with the challenges that lie ahead in the next four years, and thanks him for his work at the helm of the Sepp Blatter Foundation.
Congratulations for re-election
At its last meeting, held in the local council chambers in Visp on 31 October 2012, the Board of Management of the Sepp Blatter Foundation congratulated Niklaus Furgler on his re-election as the Mayor of Visp and presented him with a symbolic gift in the form of a specially embroidered foundation pennant.
The 2011 Sepp Blatter Foundation award was officially presented at the Sepp Blatter Football Tournament in Ulrichen, Valais on Sunday, 26 August 2012.
Having examined the dossiers, the Board of Management decided to award the prize of 20,000 Swiss francs to the Wiler and Kippel communities in the Lötschental region (10,000 Swiss francs each).
As a result of the serious floods last autumn, Lötschental suffered severe damage which amounted to millions. Both football pitches in the villages of Wiler and Kippel were very badly damaged. With this award, the Sepp Blatter Foundation would like to help football enthusiasts in Lötschental repair their pitches so that they can once again pursue their favourite hobby.
2011 award
The 2011 Sepp Blatter Foundation award was officially presented at the Sepp Blatter Football Tournament in Ulrichen, Valais on Sunday, 26 August 2012.
To achieve something big in a small place: that is the aim of the Fux campagna residential home in Visp in Upper Valais, where severely disabled people are encouraged to lead as rewarding and active a life as possible.
In August 2011, the home was awarded the annual prize of the Sepp Blatter Foundation for its outstanding commitment. On 30 October of that year, it received a visit from the Foundation's entire Board of Management, comprising the Mayor of Visp Niklaus Furger, founder Sepp Blatter, Corinne Blatter Andenmatten and Jean-Paul Brigger.
For the Board of Management, it was a perfect opportunity to meet the residents of the home in person as well as the staff and board of trustees over an aperitif. The ensuing lunch provided some interesting discussions with the residents about life in the home, the care provided and the stories behind their lives.
The manager of the home, Josef Pfaffen, then described to the visitors from the Sepp Blatter Foundation the daily routine of the residents and their activities in the workshops. This was followed by a brief tour of the living accommodation and workshops.
The members of the Board of Management were extremely impressed by the excellent work of the home and the remarkable attitude to life of its residents, which once again served to reinforce the Board’s commitment to the project. “It was a memorable visit and talking to the people in the home was a very moving experience for us. We are firmly convinced that every resident can do something and be active,” confirmed Sepp Blatter and his daughter Corinne Blatter Andenmatten.
Sepp Blatter Foundation given a warm welcome by Fux campagna residential home
To achieve something big in a small place: that is the aim of the Fux campagna residential home in Visp in Upper Valais, where severely disabled people are encouraged to lead as rewarding and active a life as possible.
One thing needs to be underlined first and foremost: while the canton of Valais in Switzerland should remain the focus, the Sepp Blatter Foundation, which first saw the light of day in 2006, should start operating on a wider national and international basis in the future, whilst still remaining true to its original principles.
The idea is a simple one: if we work together, we can help to make a better future. And the future is already within our grasp. The future means making the world a brighter place, setting a shining example for the next generation, embodying ideals. And football of course is the school of life – no other sport is so deeply integrated into modern-day living.
"My most important goal is to bring the socio-cultural element of football to our society," FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter outlined last Thursday following a meeting of the board of the Sepp Blatter Foundation. "We are all responsible in social and humanitarian terms. Football can change lives. Football is life, football is happiness. Football is hope."
Sepp Blatter created the Foundation back in 2006, with the intention of supporting both football-based and also general humanitarian projects. The Foundation's original work was carried out in the upper Valais canton of Switzerland where Sepp Blatter was born. He is at home here and it is a place where he can be just another person.
It is now time for the charitable foundation to start the next phase of its work. The vision of the Foundation, as agreed by those attending the meeting last week, is that what got off to such a successful start in Valais should now be carried out across Switzerland and around the world.
"Sepp Blatter is by far and away the most popular person from Valais," said Niklaus Furger, Chairman of the Sepp Blatter Foundation and also Mayor of the local municipality of Visp. "He’s the best ambassador that the canton could possibly wish for. From now on we want to make more use of his popularity and his charisma to launch initiatives for the good of humanitarian projects that go beyond borders," he added. Networking with other important international foundations is being explored, and a whole host of projects are being discussed and evaluated. The future looks very promising.
The main thrust of activities is still in Valais, and Visp is, and will continue to remain, the focal point of the Foundation. The 2011 Sepp Blatter Foundation award is going to the two football pitches in the local villages of Wiler and Kippel in the Loesch Valley, both of which were severely damaged by storms and are in need of immediate help. Nikolaus Furger and Foundation board member Corinne Blatter Andenmatten, who is the daughter of Sepp Blatter, have already informed the head of the valley community Beat Rieder about the initiative. In addition, the board will also visit the location once the pitches are in a usable state once again.
The Sepp Blatter Foundation has also decided to support the Turtmann tournament for U-8 – U-11 juniors in the Upper Valais, the 'Cantiamo Oberwallis' singing school and the Upper Valais Migration Forum.
Today Switzerland, tomorrow the world
One thing needs to be underlined first and foremost: while the canton of Valais in Switzerland should remain the focus, the Sepp Blatter Foundation, which first saw the light of day in 2006, should start operating on a wider national and international basis in the future, whilst still remaining true to its original principles.
The foundation’s award for 2010 was officially presented at the Sepp Blatter Tournament in Ulrichen, Valais on Sunday, 28 August 2011.
After studying all of the dossiers that were submitted to the foundation, the Board of Management decided to present the award, which is worth CHF 20,000, to the Fux Campagna residential home.
Fux Campagna does incredible work and is fully committed to helping, supporting and advising people with severe disabilities in the Upper Valais.
2010 Award
The foundation’s award for 2010 was officially presented at the Sepp Blatter Tournament in Ulrichen, Valais on Sunday, 28 August 2011.