No Tournament in 2021

The news is not surprising, however very unfortunate. After 2020’s cancellation due to Covid-19 the still ongoing pandemic also puts a spanner in the plans of the tournament organizers of TuS Stemwede in 2021.

„We would finally like to have a tournament atmosphere on our sports ground again, but unfortunately it is still too early for that,“ says Wolfgang Rosengarten from tournament management. „We are optimistic that many things will improve again in 2021, but we must also keep the current situation in mind. As organizer we are responsible for safe procedures and the health of all athletes, helpers and visitors. To initiate a major event now would be an ill-advised rather than a motivating sign.“ In addition, there is the lead time that the annual tournament needs. „ We as organizers and all our partners need planning security. The risk of accepting a spontaneous tournament cancellation would therefore be irresponsible“, so Rosengarten. After 2019 and 2020, the traditional tournament in Wehdem is cancelled for the third time in a row.

It is still unclear when and how the more than four-decade-long tournament series can be restarted or continued with its 42nd edition. „ We observe the developments, talk again and again with the responsible persons in our friendly clubs and are also in exchange with the DFB. And we check what signals there are from abroad as well. But all those involved can only look into the future to a limited extent and can also only guess what will happen next.“ It is also certain that both the International Lebenshilfe Cup for people with disabilities, which is part of the tournament, and the penalty shootout for local groups and clubs will be cancelled again this year.

TuS Stemwede has been hosting the international U19 tournament in Wehdem for more than 40 years. In total, more than 150 different teams from around 40 nations have already played in Wehdem.