Herbert Hainer: "Nervous system of our society"

The official part of the event for the “Not all heroes wear jerseys” campaign, which raises awareness of the commitment of security and emergency services, concluded with a round of table football: FC Bayern President Herbert Hainer and Austria international Sarah Zadrazil against Minister of State Joachim Herrmann and a member of the fire department. The German champions’ duo won (“A lucky goal, but it counts”, Sarah Zadrazil commented with a wink), but everyone was a winner. “A lot is visible in sports: jerseys, goals, titles,” Hainer said in front of around 50 invited guests, including Jörg Ammon, President of the Bavarian State Sports Association. “But in real life, heroes usually don’t wear a jersey – which is exactly why they deserve the greatest respect,” added Hainer: “They don’t work in the spotlight, but they’re indispensable. These everyday heroes are the nervous system of our society. They provide stability and trust, they provide security in a time that is often out of balance. Many of them work on a vonluntary basis, without them, there would be no functioning community – and no common good.”

The launch of the campaign with the motto “Not all heroes wear jerseys – sport says thank you” two years ago was also staged at the Allianz Arena with Herbert Hainer and Sarah Zadrazil, according to Herrmann, Bavarian State Minister of the Interior, Sports and Integration: “Because the Allianz Arena isn’t only one of Europe’s most impressive stadiums, but also a symbol that sport overcomes opposites and stands for values like team spirit, fairness and respect. This campaign is an alliance of sport and security for more appreciation of all people committed to the common good.” His conclusion: “We can be very satisfied. It was a strong first half – and we’ll tackle the second one with lots of momentum.”

They want to say thank you together, added Hainer: “To the many people who are committed, the rescue workers, all those who help where help is needed. Their commitment isn’t a matter of course.” All these people “stand for what counts in sport too,” said Sarah Zadrazil: “Team spirit, reliability, solidarity. I want to raise awareness that heroines and heroes don’t just stand on the pitch, I want to make people more aware of the importance of all rescue and emergency services, even in our normal matches.” When FC Bayern Women take on Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga opening fixture at the Allianz Arena on 6 September, numerous helpers will once again be on duty, said the midfielder: “They make sure everything goes smoothly.”

Sport clubs are more than just places to score goals, explained Hainer: “They’re bridge builders. We’re very proud of how our members and fans fill these values with life: with passion, with attitude, with solidarity.” FC Bayern believes it has a responsibility to take a clear stance in society. “If we stick together, we can make a difference. That’s why we’re launching the ‘PACK MA‘S‘ programme, where our members volunteer – at school or social institutions: young and old, regardless of their background – everybody is invited to join in. It’s a clear signal: We stand together – in everyday life too.” FC Bayern’s reach is great, “and we use it, with initiatives like ‘Red against Racism’, with clear words against hatred and exclusion, with our eyes open for what is happening around us,” said Hainer: “Because without people who take responsibility, there will be no open and supportive society.”

The Bavarian Ministry of the Interior implemented the everyday heroes campaign with the Bavarian Karate Federation and President Wolfgang Weigert, the Bavarian Football Association, the Disabled and Rehabilitation Sports Association and the Bavarian State Sports Association to promote more respect for security and emergency services in May 2023. The core of the campaign are videos that are distributed in particular via social media, but also at home games of Bavarian professional football teams. As well as Zadrazil, Bavarian Sports Ambassador Anna Schaffelhuber and Jonas Abu Wahib, world junior karate runner-up, are involved as faces.

Sarah Zadrazil and FC Bayern Women take on Bayer 04 Leverkusen in September: