The presidents of Germany’s three largest sports associations are calling for a sports minister in the new federal government. According to a report by “Zeit” magazine, citing statements from Bernd Neuendorf (DFB), Thomas Weikert (DOSB), and Friedhelm Beucher (DBS), the sports leaders demand a single point of contact where all strings come together and represents the interests of sports in the federal cabinet.
“We finally need a position where all threads come together and represents the interests of sports in the federal cabinet” said DFB President Bernd Neuendorf to the weekly magazine.
Ahead of the federal election, the three are also calling for a two-billion-euro increase in sports funding annually. “I’m simply stunned that today in Berlin and other cities, many children are not being accepted by football clubs because the infrastructure is lacking” said Neuendorf. Sport must finally be given the societal importance it deserves in Germany.
The DOSB and DBS are also pushing for the planned bid for the 2036 or 2040 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Germany has failed in all seven Olympic bids since Munich 1972.
The three top sports representatives are also self-critical. Germany’s international influence in sport has decreased, according to Neuendorf. He acknowledged the many scandals and leadership changes at the DFB, saying: “We had serious quarrels at the DFB before my time, and as a result, we had a bad international image. We were no longer taken seriously in politics and were not considered a reliable partner.