SolarCUP combines football fever with commitment to protecting the atmosphere   Lord Mayor Frank Baranowski: “We were all winners in the SolarCUP.”   Gelsenkirchen conducted its very own football star search, on the lookout for winners in the SolarCUP goal-wall shoot-out challenge. And the clear winners were the city itself, the environment, and the atmosphere. Over 6,000 people took more than 36,000 shots at the goal in a total of 84 events, raising funds for solar projects in their own town and in South Africa, the host nation for the next World Cup. More than 20,000 euros have already been amassed for this “energy bridge”, with the city administration “kicking” together the grand sum of 2,500 euros at theirs, the single most financially profitable event.   “With the commitment they have shown over the past three months for protection of the atmosphere and the environment and for international understanding, the citizens of Gelsenkirchen are the real winners of the SolarCUP 2006”, was the enthusiastic résumé given by Lord Mayor Frank Baranowski, a SolarCUP patron, at the cup final in Gelsenkirchen’s Science Park. Combining football fever with anticipation of the World Cup, the solar city Gelsenkirchen showed how to successfully unite fun and games and serious, important concerns.   Gerd Rehberg, President of FC Schalke 04 and likewise a patron of the event, also drew a positive balance. As host in the Schalke Arena, he invited celebrities from science and politics, the economy and the churches to take part in the kick-off. National team player Rüdiger Abramczik gave a full display of his powers in the “three up, three down” shoot-out at the solar-panelled goal wall. Gerd Rehberg was particularly impressed by the stability of the solar modules: “The blue cells manufactured locally by Scheuten Solar admirably withstood the ball-battering they were subjected to.”   A long list of supporters ensured that the fun and good humour held up equally well during the three-month course of the SolarCUP. Listing just some of the supporters, Werner Rybarski pointed out that “The Gelsenkirchen advertising agency C4C supplied free brochures, flyers and posters, Opel Doerpinghaus provided a gas-fuelled vehicle with which the goal walls were transported, SonnenBäcker took responsibility for the catering, and the “Fair Play – Fair Life” campaign gave us fair-traded balls.” Without such support from the private sector, the SolarCUP would not have been possible. Rybarski also thanked Makossa Druck, Shell Solar, the NRW energy agency, the German environmental board, the patrons, and the many voluntary workers. “Deutsche Telekom supported us financially, as well as booking goal walls for events in Berlin, Munich and Hanover.” Deutsche Telekom also has plans for long-term solar projects at the next World Cup in South Africa, as well as for following up on its SolarCUP involvement in the ClimaCUP campaign.   Ingrid Stange, chair of the aGEnda 21 support group, explained how the kicking will go on in Gelsenkirchen beyond the cup final: “Companies can still take part in the SolarCUP up to the end of the year, and there are still some events that will take place after 8 June. I think we are more than prepared to make an exception if others are interested.” After all, the solar city is keen to continue making its positive mark in the headlines. Ingrid Stange showed herself satisfied with the all-round success of the campaign: “The SolarCUP also drew international attention, including comprehensive coverage on the American news channel CNN.”   Further contacts: Werner Rybarski, aGEnda 21-Büro: Tel.: +49 209 1479130; e-mail: agenda21@gelsenkirchen.de           Startseite der Homepage der aGEnda 21 - Zukunft in Gelsenkirchen gestalten