Graz's sporting year will kick off on March 1, 2021!

Sports councilor Kurt Hohensinner gave an update on the planned sports year 2021. From March, so to speak, sports will rule in the state capital. Around 240 project ideas were submitted, the best of which will be implemented within the framework of ten monthly focal points.

There is also a big tailwind for the unique lighthouse project “Sport Austria Finals” from June 3 to 6, 2021, as Sport Austria President Hans Niessl reported.

The anticipation for next year is already huge, especially in this year's very special year of great challenges. After every low comes a high - and exactly this saying should come true in Graz from March 2021. “We have set the starting signal for the sporting year on March 1st. In the ten months to the end of the year, sport will play an unprecedented role in this city. Together we will move Graz and inspire the positive effects of sport. I can only emphasize: look forward to a sporty year 2021! Kurt Hohensinner.

The fact that the sports year will start in March not only has to do with Covid-19, but also with the planning of the events. “The sports year should be a year of participation for everyone. In March, after the colder winter months, we can be more active outdoors, which also makes the organization easier for many clubs and associations. The people of Graz are also pushing outside when the temperatures are getting warmer - we are convinced that we can generate even greater momentum for the entire project, ”says Hohensinner.

For weeks we have been working hard on the implementation of the sports year. Program coordinator Markus Pichler is enthusiastic about the cooperation of the Graz clubs: by mid-September no less than 240 ideas for small and creative sporting events had been submitted. "That exceeded all of our expectations, we would like to thank the numerous clubs and institutions that have thought about what they can do in the sporting year," said Pichler. This is exactly what the idea would live on, he adds: “After all, we want to encourage so many Graz residents to participate and move. And we can only do that if the clubs are on board and make their contribution. "

An excerpt from the ideas shows how diverse and interesting the sports year will be: from the "largest table tennis tournament in the world" (everyone can participate and, for example, play against their neighbors at home), to a deaf futsal cup, stand-up paddling for seniors up to a soccer triathlon (a mix of soccer, beach soccer and footvolley) and a large-scale chess challenge between the left and right banks of the Mur. “There were really a lot of brilliant ideas sent in. In the next few weeks, Active City's board of directors will be chairman Gerhard Peinhaupt make a selection. We hope, of course, that as many of them as possible can be implemented, ”says Pichler. The city of Graz grants funding for the events; the organization is then in the hands of the associations. “But of course we are happy to provide advice and assistance,” emphasizes the program coordinator.

Monthly focus and lighthouse projects

The monthly focus forms the central theme throughout the whole sporting year. These are intended to specify the time frame when the respective events will take place. At the same time, there are also numerous hands-on activities for everyone in Graz. Hohensinner and Co. want to present the exact program at the end of November, by then the homepage should also be online, on which you will find all the dates.

The so-called lighthouse projects will also be an integral part of the sporting year 2021. In addition to the “3 × 3 basketball Olympic qualification tournament” at the end of May 2021, these will primarily be the “Sport Austria Finals”, as Sport Austria President said Hans Niessl emphasizes: “The Olympic character of the Sport Austria Finals 2021 in Graz - with currently 22 sports facilities and 30 participating associations - puts national top sport in the focus of the public and thus strengthens our diverse domestic sports culture. I would like to thank the federal government, the state of Styria and the city of Graz for supporting the Sport Austria Finals and I am already looking forward to exciting competitions. Let's hope that the 1st Sport Austria Finals in history will be a sign of new beginnings not only for sport, but for society as a whole after overcoming the historical corona crisis and that we can celebrate a sports festival as we know it from pre-corona times: with enthusiasm, emotions and carefree joy about the sporting achievements offered. Until then, however, it is still important to show the necessary perseverance and discipline in the fight against the virus. "

In addition to Sport Austria managing director Gerd Bischofter On-site coordination will also ensure that the mega event runs smoothly. For this position, Special Olympics could be president Jurgen Winter are won, which City Councilor Hohensinner is particularly pleased: “As a coordinator, he is absolutely the right man. Winter is the ideal interface between federal, state and city. He has not only been a professional in the field of major sporting events since the Special Olympics World Games in Graz, Schladming and Ramsau and knows what it takes to prepare. "

Winter emphasizes that the first week of June will be about more than the fight for medals: “We want to create a big sports festival for everyone. Sports that are otherwise not necessarily in the public eye should receive special attention these days. "