The Sporthilfe Gala is one of the sporting and social highlights of the annual calendar. © Helmut Moling

Sporthilfe Gala: Passion meets recognition

On April 11, the Sporthilfe Gala will take place at the Kursaal in Merano. An evening full of emotion, recognition, and solidarity that unites the entire sporting world of the country.

07 April 2025

From: pm

"The Sporthilfe Gala is a fixture in the calendar of all sports fans – whether club members, officials, or athletes themselves," says Giovanni Podini, President of South Tyrol's Sporthilfe Foundation. On April 11, the Merano Kursaal will be transformed into a sports meeting place: former athletes, medal winners, Olympians, young athletes, and club members will come together to celebrate outstanding achievements. Because: sport deserves recognition. "The gala is more than an event – ​​it is a tribute to all those who train with heart and passion to realize their dreams. Sport is emotion – every match, every ski race, every goal makes us cheer," says Managing Director Georg Gasser.

For young talents to achieve their athletic goals, they need financial and moral support. Athletes such as figure skater Carmen Thurner and biathlete Felix Ratschiller are part of the South Tyrolean Sports Aid's elite program. They and six other athletes will receive monthly support until the Olympics. "Without this support, it would be almost impossible for us to fully concentrate on our sport. A part-time job is incompatible with our training schedule," explains Carmen Thurner.

Sporthilfe opens numerous doors

But Sporthilfe goes even further: In addition to one-off bonuses for summer and winter athletes, long-term support strategies are also being developed. "Many people don't know that with our Great Season program, we open doors to the business world for athletes even after their active careers," says Gasser. In addition, South Tyrol's Sporthilfe organizes workshops and lectures on topics brought up by athletes under the project name "Sporthilfe +." In 2025, the focus of this continuing education opportunity, which is not only aimed at sponsored athletes, will be "Health and Goal-Oriented Training." Ultimately, the goal is for athletes to be able to concentrate on what they do best—their sport.

The participating athletes with their mentors from the local business community.

Preparations for the Sporthilfe Gala are in full swing: The volunteer board and office team have been working for months on the organization, from ticket sales and advertising to the running of the event. But all this effort is worth it. Why? Because the gala is much more than a celebratory evening. It is a central component of Sporthilfe's financing. Support for athletes comes from membership fees, donations, charity events, the 5 per mille allocation, sponsorship money from the private sector, as well as contributions from the public sector and sponsors. Another important source of income is the Sporthilfe Lottery, which concludes with the drawing on April 27 at the Freizeit in Bolzano. "The gala remains our most important event. It brings together sports, business, and society and gives us the visibility we need to continue receiving support," explains Gasser. Because only through the encouragement and support of many—starting with parents, clubs and their coaches, associations, partners, and sponsors—can the champions of tomorrow pursue their careers and represent South Tyrol in the international sporting world. They provide the excitement and support they need to realize their dreams.