Michael Ballack, the captain of the German national football team and UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador, has been awarded the famous German prize “sportler mit Herz,” or ”athlete with heart”, for his committed and outstanding work with UNAIDS.
The award was presented on 6 November 2010 before an audience of almost 3000 which included personalities from the world of sport, art and entertainment as well as national politicians.
At the reception, Mr Ballack said he was honored by the award, and accepted it on behalf of his UNAIDS colleagues.
UNAIDS has a vision of Zero new infections, Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths. This is a vision that I share and I am proud to be doing my part to help
Michal Ballack, UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador
“UNAIDS has a vision of Zero new infections, Zero discrimination and Zero AIDS-related deaths. This is a vision that I share and I am proud to be doing my part to help,” Mr Ballack noted.
A UNAIDS Goodwill Ambassador since 2006, Mr Ballack along with fellow international soccer player Emmanuel Adebayor, focuses on raising awareness about HIV prevention among young people. As a role model for young men around the world, he has participated in a number of campaigns to raise awareness on how to prevent HIV.
