FIFA/CIES Network Prize: The winners discover Switzerland

The three winners of the 2015 FIFA/CIES Network Prize completed their trip to Switzerland two weeks ago. Among other things, they discovered the headquarters of the International Centre for Sports Studies (CIES) in Neuchâtel and the “Home of Football” - FIFA Headquarters - in Zurich, met the FIFA Master students and… worked at a cheese dairy!

Rafael Acosta, Eduardo Basalo and Leonel Yépez, students of the 4th edition of the FIFA/CIES sport management programme organised in cooperation with Universidad Metropolitana (UNIMET) in Caracas, travelled to Switzerland as a reward for their excellent group project entitled “Comprehensive Baseball Academy, training citizens to serve society”.

After landing at Zurich airport, the three winners discovered the landscapes of the German-speaking part of Switzerland and then the French-speaking part on their way to Neuchâtel by train. After visiting CIES offices and meeting several staff members, they presented their project to the 31 FIFA Master students who were able to discover some of the realities of sport in Venezuela - in particular the “impossible” dream of many youngsters of becoming professional baseball players. At the end of the presentation, the many questions and ensuing discussions addressed various themes concerning integration of young people into society thanks to sport.

Rafael, Eduardo and Leonel then left for an excursion along the Aar river where they appreciated the charms of the beautiful baroque town of Solothurn. They then got down to work, to make cheeses on an Emmental farm… Naturally, our three travellers captured each moment by taking… thousands of photos that can be seen on Facebook, twitter and Instagram…

The visit to FIFA headquarters was probably the highlight of their trip. Rafael, Eduardo and Leonel were awarded their Prize by FIFA Deputy Secretary General Markus Kattner and CIES President Bertrand Reeb, who both emphasised the importance of their work to develop essential links between sport and society. After the official ceremony, they heard several presentations by FIFA managers on themes as diverse as human resources, communication, the World Cup, development and marketing.

The UNIMET/FIFA/CIES Programme is organised thanks to the innovative and visionary initiative of GDI (Gestión Deportiva Internacional) and its subsidiary GZ. Many thanks to Ingrid Hernández and Mario Hernández for their support as well as to María-José Gonzalez and Rafael Espinoza, respectively director and coordinator of the UNIMET/FIFA/CIES Programme, and Víctor Ledezma, CIES coordinator in Venezuela.

In conclusion, we can only congratulate Rafael, Eduardo and Leonel once again, and wish them every success and fulfilment in the world of sport.