Herr Bühlbecker has gained notoriety for bringing glamour to the Ball des Sports by inviting high-profile celebrities as his companions. This year, he has once again managed to secure a prominent figure for the event. In an exclusive interview, Herr Bühlbecker revealed that he will be bringing former British boxer David Haye and his girlfriend to the event.

In previous years, Herr Bühlbecker has invited notable figures such as Ornella Muti and Nastassja Kinski. When asked about his choice this year, he explained, “I bring David Haye with his girlfriend with.”

Herr Bühlbecker emphasized that his motive is not to seek personal fame but to support the cause of sports and the Sporthilfe, an organization he has been a curator of for 15 years. He believes that inviting celebrities can bring more attention and support to the event, making it more appealing to the media and the public.

“Mir geht es um die Sache des Sports und die Sporthilfe, die ich für eine großartige Einrichtung halte. Deshalb unterstütze ich die Sporthilfe seit 15 Jahren als Kurator, und irgendwann haben wir bemerkt, dass ich mit meinem Netzwerk und mit Freundschaften helfen kann, dass auch Berühmtheiten ein wenig Glanz für den Ball bringen, der auch die bunten Blätter für die Sache der Sporthilfe empfänglich macht.”

Herr Bühlbecker’s approach is markedly different from that of the late Austrian entrepreneur Richard Lugner, who famously invited celebrities to the Vienna Opera Ball for exorbitant sums. When asked about the comparison, Herr Bühlbecker clarified, “I overlook for my guests highest the journey and the hotel, at the ball they are invited. But otherwise it is based on friendship and the desire that we have a beautiful evening.”

“Richard Lugner habe ich aber übrigens durchaus auch mal helfen können mit meinen Kontakten, wenn sein geplanter Ballgast kurzfristig absagen musste.”

Herr Bühlbecker’s commitment to sports extends beyond the Ball des Sports. He has been deeply involved in tennis, playing at the highest levels in Germany and even opening for Germany in Wimbledon. His company, Lambertz, is also involved in the Advisory Board of the Chio, the world’s largest equestrian tournament in Aachen.

“I am very closely connected to sport. I made competitive sports from an early age and played tennis in the highest German tennis class for many years. In my tennis club TK Kurhaus Lambertz Aachen, I built a Bundesliga team that became German champion several times. We were a bit the Bayern Munich of tennis. I was allowed to open in Wimbledon for Germany in my age group.”

Herr Bühlbecker’s involvement in sports is not just about personal achievement; it’s about the broader impact on society. He believes that sports and business have a lot in common and that his experiences in sports have shaped his business acumen. “I very often explain that I also believe that sport has shaped my economic life,” he said.

“There was a lot of tradition and a lot of history, we were court suppliers with the European royal houses, but came in the whirlpool of changes. In this situation, my experience in sport helped me a lot. I benefited from the fact that I learned when I was six, that you can also win against fifteen-year-olds and that I sometimes lost against worse or won against better. That shapes.”

When asked about the role of the Ball des Sports, Herr Bühlbecker emphasized its importance as a fundraising event for athletes. “It is important to me that the ball of the sport is also successful because it is a good and important source of income for the support of the athletes. That is the point. And for a ball, it is always important that interesting guests come.”

Herr Bühlbecker also highlighted the importance of networking and collaboration across different fields. He believes that bringing together people from various industries can create a more dynamic and supportive environment. “I think it is also a bit so that everyone moves primarily in their own area. The economy in business, politics in politics, sometimes, but perhaps too rarely, politics is moving to the economy. But that sport, film and culture and other areas network with each other is very, very difficult. Most of the time you move in your circle and I always think you draw added value when you meet people from different fields.”

Looking ahead, Herr Bühlbecker is optimistic about the future of the Ball des Sports and its ability to attract high-profile guests. He believes that events like these can benefit greatly from the presence of celebrities and prominent figures, as it can draw more attention and support to the cause. “If you have a great event, I think you also have to try to emphasize it accordingly. This is the support that I also do with the ball of sport.”

As the event approaches, Herr Bühlbecker is confident that this year’s Ball des Sports will be a success, attracting a diverse range of guests and raising significant funds for athletes. He encourages others to follow his lead and use their networks to support important causes. “It is important to go out something from your own area and to create the bow into other areas. Then it becomes more interesting. Then you develop a network, a different foundation than if you try to get something on your way alone.”