Laureus Awards recognise the Barça spirit

Laureus Awards recognise the Barça spirit
FC Barcelona have been distinguished with the Laureus Spirit of Sport Award in recognition of their historic agreement with Unicef. The football team was also one of the finalists for the 2006 Team of Year Award.

The Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona was the venue for this evening’s Laureus Sports Awards, and FC Barcelona were among the winners, in testimony of the revolutionary deal the club came to with Unicef this year. Joan Laporta collected the prize from American actor Morgan Freeman, who congratulated Barça on all it has done to help underprivileged children all around the world. Special dedication

The Barça president offered a special message in his acceptance speech. “This is dedicated to all the most vulnerable children around the world, to FC Barcelona’s fans and members and to everybody who has supported this initiative”. Joan Laporta went on to remind listeners just why Barça is “more than a club”, saying “we promote social values and try to be the best, and always by being sporting”. He also spoke about how proud it made him personally when the Board agreed for the football team to wear the Unicef logo on their shirts.

Italy named best team

But despite winning the Spirit of Sport Award, Barça did not add the Team of Year accolade to that honour, although they were shortlisted for the second year in a row. Frank Rijkaard’s side was nominated in recognition of the major titles won this year, and the wonderful football the team plays. However, the award was presented to Italy, winners of the World Cup in Germany.

A colourful ceremony

The Palau Sant Jordi proved to be a wonderful venue for the ceremony, with plenty of colour and a host of famous people that listened intently to the speeches of some of the finest sportspeople on the planet. Other winners tonight included two tennis sensations in Serena Williams and Roger Federer.
The Sporting Oscars
The Laureus World Sports Awards are presented annually to the best individuals and teams from the global sporting year. The first edition was held in the year 2000, and now in its eight year, they have grown to be considered the veritable ‘Oscars of Sport”.