He will also be part of our team when we present our application on 10 December.

As captain of the NINERS, the international Chemnitz basketball team, Malte Ziegenhagen is not only a sporting role model – with his Raise Up Academie project he has established a meeting place for young people where sport meets art irrespective of origin or religion. The project is located in Sonnenberg, a socially deprived district of the city. He brings into play the themes of participation, audience development and the broad concept of culture – as well as team spirit, fair play, fan culture and internationality.

(Video: Ernesto Uhlmann)