Championship revives after a long hiatus of 87 years
In a poignant and memorable event, the 1925 SC Hakoah professional championship trophy has returned to Vienna after 87 years, marking a significant moment in Austrian sports history. The emotional gala, named "Hakoah Forever", was a sold-out, moving journey through 100 years of club history.
The return of the trophy, which was smuggled to Israel in secret during the Nazi era, was unveiled by Adi Ruinstein, President of the World Maccabi Union. In a heartfelt ceremony on the Hohen Warte, Ruinstein handed over the original trophy to Hakoah Presidents Thomas Loewy and Daniel Fuchs.
The trophy's return is the result of years of effort and reflects the strengthening Jewish community in Vienna. It honours a generation of athletes whose legacy was almost erased during the Nazi era. The SC Hakoah, as a purely Jewish club, won the first professional football championship in Austrian history in 1925, and their successes in football, swimming, and wrestling shaped the identity of Vienna's Jewish community.
The team under legendary coach Béla Guttmann became a symbol of Jewish self-confidence. Their victories, both on and off the field, were a testament to the resilience and determination of the Jewish community in Vienna.
The event "Hakoah Forever" featured artists like Sandra Cervik, Herbert Föttinger, and Erwin Steinhauer, who waived their fees, adding to the emotional atmosphere of the evening. Alfons Haider hosted the program, making it a night to remember for all who attended.
The return of the trophy symbolically closes a circle that was torn apart in 1938, representing an act of historical justice. It signifies a future where the memory of the past is kept alive and sports unite rather than divide. As we approach the 100th anniversary of the championship title in 2025, the return of the trophy serves as a reminder of the rich history and culture that the SC Hakoah represents.
The re-founded SC Hakoah is once again an active part of Vienna's sports landscape, with the presence of the historic trophy connecting today's generation with the legendary heroes of 1925. The return of the trophy sends a strong signal against forgetting, especially in times of rising antisemitism in Europe.
In conclusion, the return of the SC Hakoah championship trophy is more than just a symbolic gesture. It is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Jewish community in Vienna, a reminder of the rich history and culture that the SC Hakoah represents, and a beacon of hope for a future where sports unite rather than divide.
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