Casino Berlin supports ISTAF 2019 event.
Spielbank Berlin once again stepped up as the primary backer of the Berlin sports spectacle ISTAF (International Stadium Festival Berlin), continuing its dedication to backing athletics ventures in the city. ISTAF 2019 served as a warm-up for the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, slated to happen in around four weeks. Here's a recap of the event.
Sport support is a matter of pride
The International Stadium Festival Berlin is one of the oldest athletics events in existence. On September 1, the 78th edition of the event at Berlin's Olympic Stadium attracted over 50,000 enthusiastic fans, and Spielbank Berlin took on its traditional sponsor role, foreshadowing its ongoing allegiance to the city's sports scene. According to Spielbank, its patronage of the event has a "long-standing tradition" and holds "significant meaning" for the corporation.
Consequently, Spielbank CEO Gerhard Wilhelm welcomed a prestigious group of guests, including Bundestag President Wolfgang Schäuble, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, and actor Ulrich Matthes, to the Olympic Stadium's VIP box, where the sponsors watched the various competitions unfold. Wilhelm, a strong supporter of sports culture in the city, viewed the sponsorship as more than just a financial transaction. He stated,
"Spielbank Berlin is one of the major investors in the local sporting scene and sees itself not only as a partner for our city, but also as part of the sporting and cultural events in Berlin. Sport is a field where Spielbank Berlin has been active since its inception. We continuously sponsor a multitude of clubs and significant sporting events because we believe that sport and business can yield positive results together while creating benefits that wouldn't be feasible without each other."
Top athletes from all over the globe
ISTAF boasts a history that spans back to 1921, making it one of the most well-established and well-received athletic events in the world. The tournament is attended by an average of 50,000 people per year, making it among the most popular sporting competitions globally. ISTAF is also a part of the World Challenge, a series of 14 athletic tournaments intended as a dry run for the World Championships. This year's World Championships are slated to take place in Doha, Qatar, in a few weeks' time.
The ISTAF's cultural significance is a driving force for both Spielbank and Berlin, with Wilhelm going on to underscore the significance of the event both for the sponsoring company and the city. The tournament has become a fixture in the world of athletics. This summer, ISTAF received the distinguished IAAF World Athletics Heritage Plaque for its "outstanding contributions to the global expansion of athletics."
The event is renowned for showcasing the world's top athletes every year, with a dedicated fan zone allowing spectators to get in touch with the athletes, including sought-after autographs and selfies. Notable guests, including multi-Olympic champions Astrid Kumbernuss (shot put) and Heike Drechsler (long jump), participated in photo shoots with the audience.
Spielbank's funding helps establish a positive atmosphere at the event, which in turn contributes to the athletes' on-field success. Throughout the ISTAF's storied history, many world records have been set. At this year's installment, Gesa Krause broke her previous world record in the 3,000-meter steeplechase set in 2016.
Wilhelm commended Berlin's standing in the global athletics community, expressing the Olympic Stadium's significance: "Hello, Berlin - a leading athletics hub. The audience was outstanding. ISTAF is a flagship for Berlin," said the CEO.
Commitment to a range of sports ventures
Founded in 1975, Spielbank Berlin, located at Potsdamer Platz, takes pride in furthering the city's sporting culture. Beyond its ISTAF sponsorship, the casino supports the handball club Füchse Berlin and the volleyball club BR Volleys. As of May, Spielbank has joined forces with para-swimmer Elena Krawzow, an accomplished Berlin athlete, on her journey to the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo.
Spielbank's support doesn't just stop at major clubs and world-class athletes. It also extends to smaller clubs experiencing financial turmoil. In July, for instance, 13,500 euros were donated to 14 sports clubs in Reinickendorf, a district of Berlin. The initiative was led by advisory board member and CDU politician Frank Steffel. Spielbank is similarly invested in social initiatives. In May, the casino's Potsdamer Platz branch contributed 5,000 euros to MANEO, a Berlin-based anti-violence organization, aiming to curb homophobic violence. The campaign was spearheaded by Klaus Wowereit, Berlin's former mayor and a member of the advisory board, who came out as homosexual in 2001. A dedicated funding pool at the Potsdamer Platz casino is available for these endeavors.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
