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Sports policy summit at the Hennef Sports School: Politicians visit the Football Association Mittelrhein

The Football Association Mittelrhein (FVM) presented itself on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Hennef Sports Schoolto the new and re-elected mayors and district and district administrators from the immediate catchment area of the FVM and used the opportunity to discuss current sports policy issues. Among those taking part in the FVM event were Lord Mayors Torsten Burmester (Cologne) and Stefan Hebbel (Leverkusen) as well as District Councillors Dr. Ralf Nolten (Düren district), Markus Ramers (Euskirchen district) and Sebastian Schuster (Rhein-Sieg district).

The main aim of the meeting was to get to know each other and to discuss the importance and challenges of organized soccer in the region.On behalf of the FVM Executive Committee, President Dr. Christos Katzidis, Vice President Sport Rudi Rheinstädtler, the commission and committee chairmen Wolfgang Sieben (Committee for Popular Sports and Health) and Oliver C.Daniels (Club Advisory Committee), Dirk Brennecke and Sandra Fritz (Management) andthe head of the sports school Sascha Hendrich–coachestook part.From the districts, the chairmen Werner Jung–Stadié (Cologne district), Jürgen Liehn (Berg district), Doris Mager (Euskirchen district) and Uwe Scheifgen (Bonn district) took part in the exchange. The association was also represented by Charles–Heinz Witt (Speaker of the Council of Elders).

The sports policy summit was divided into four parts.At the beginning of the meeting, Dr. Christos Katzidis and Sascha Hendrich–Bächer gave the guests a keynote speech entitled “The Football–Verband Mittelrhein im System Fußball” provides a comprehensive overview of the association’s tasks, its full-time and voluntary structures and the strategic voluntary structures and the strategic focal points of the current electoral term. The second part was followed by a tour of the sports school, which ended with a sports policy discussion on the topics of special assets, NRW–plan and the current challenges facing soccer clubs – particularly with regard to voluntary work and the sports infrastructure. After the tour and the exchange of ideas, the sporting part followed: a walking–football–game “Politics against FVM”. Before the kick-off, the participants were given a brief introduction by Hartwig Schumacher and Sebastian Sander, both members of the Committee for Popular Sports and Health. The event concluded with a joint lunch in the dining hall of the Hennef Sports School.

Tour of the Hennef Sports School: Director Sascha Hendrich-Bächer showed the participants around the site.

FVM President Dr. Christos Katzidis drew a positive conclusion and explained: “Many thanks to the district administrators and mayors who accepted our invitation. It was a great pleasure for us to get to know them personally and to share information about the soccer system in Germany, our association and our sports school. The walking football game in particular was a great finale, in which the politicians clearly came out on top in the end.”
District Administrator Sebastian Schuster also gave the event a positive assessment: “It’s a great idea from the soccer association.Verband Mittelrhein to make such an offer: The district administrator of the Rhein-Sieg district is of course familiar with the Hennef Sports School, but many of his fellow district administrators or even mayors may not know it. That’s why it was great to be introduced to the association and the facilities at Hennef Sports School. Finally, we played walking football, a new trend sport that is a very good way to exercise and do sport, especially if you are a certain age or more prone to injury. Many thanks to those responsible for the soccer -Association ofthe Middle Rhine.”

Walking football: Mascot Henni Sieger was also allowed to take part in the friendly match.

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