European Museum´s Night at the Slovak Olympic and Sports Museum (SVK) in Bratislava, in the spirit of World Fair Play Day

At the start of the European Museum´s Night at the Slovak Olympic and Sport Museum in Bratislava, legendary football goalkeeper Alexander Vencel Sr. received the NOC Fair Play Award 2024 for his live-long commitment to fair play.

"I really appreciate this award. It reflects not only my results and performances, but also my attitude to life," said Alexander Vencel Sr, one of the best goalkeepers in Czechoslovakia and in the world at that time, at the ceremony. He was a member of the winning Czechoslovak national team at Euro 1976 and won the Cup Winners' Cup with Slovan Bratislava in 1969. The 'Belasí' beat FC Barcelona 3-2 in the final.

Rudolf Kuki and Kristián Šimek, students at the Secondary School of Mass Media and Information in Bratislava, spoke with the Laureate:

You received the award for your life- long commitment to fair play. Where does football stand today in terms of fair play?

Football is a huge phenomenon and it's all over the world. I am very happy that fate has allowed me to be a top sportsman at both national and club levels for so many years. I was driven by an inner responsibility to perform well, not only to set an example but also to spread the idea of fair play. With all the beauty of football and all the situations that football brings, we must not forget that there is also a very serious matter, which is fair play. I am happy to have achieved this in football. This award is a real highlight for me and I feel very fulfilled inside.

What is your message to today's young sportsmen and women who dream of a career like yours?

Young people hear messages from all sides... What guided me, and what I tried to guide my charges in the same spirit, was to give everything to football - everything I had. Without looking for other ways, without making light of it, without finding ways that are not quite fair in the fight against the opponent. That is my message to the youngsters.

Photo:  SOŠV/SAMUEL GALICA: Alexander Vencel Sr. accompanied by František Chmelar, Honorary President of SOSC and Janka Stašová, Vice President of the SOSC´s Fair Play Club

Laureates and guests - from the left: SOSC Honorary President František Chmelár, CFP SOSC Vice-President Jana Stašová, Zuzana Wisterová, Alexander Vencel sen., Secretary General of the Slovak Paralympic Committee Samuel Roško, Peter Buček, SOSC ExCom member Martin Bendik and SOSC Honorary Member Vladimír Miller 
 

25.05.2025