Bernd Pohl was awarded the Golden Badge of Honor of the City of Idar-Oberstein by Lord Mayor Frank Frühauf for his many years of voluntary commitment to sport in Idar-Oberstein and the region. The award ceremony took place as part of the 175th anniversary celebrations of the Gymnastics Club 1848 Oberstein. Pohl has been active on the TVO board for decades, was chairman for 16 years and was appointed honorary chairman of the club in 2017.
After his welcoming address on the occasion of the club's anniversary, Mayor Frühauf had a surprise in store, which the current club board had arranged in advance. Honorary Chairman Bernd Pohl was more than surprised when Frühauf asked him to join him on stage. "The presentation of the Golden Badge of Honor is always a special event for me. Because this award is presented by resolution of the city council to people who have rendered outstanding services to and for the city of Idar-Oberstein and its fellow citizens through their outstanding voluntary work," emphasized the Lord Mayor.
In his welcoming address, he had already emphasized the outstanding voluntary commitment in the ranks of TV Oberstein. This began with the club's founder Peter Drey and has continued seamlessly ever since, right up to the current board under Chairwoman Julia Kannengießer. "Bernd Pohl has a special place in this circle. He is still working tirelessly for 'his' TVO today in various functions." According to the Lord Mayor, Pohl is one of the people in Idar-Oberstein who are strongly committed to others and to civic goals. With their commitment, creativity and initiative, these people make a significant contribution to progress and cohesion in society.
Bernd Pohl has been active at TV Oberstein since 1965 as a trainer for handball and hiking, he has been press officer since 1985 and as such was also responsible for the first compilation of the club chronicle for the 175th anniversary. He was 2nd Chairman of the TVO from 1995 to 2000 and 1st Chairman from 2000 to 2016. He has been Honorary Chairman and Honorary Managing Director of the association since 2017. In addition to his activities at TVO, Bernd Pohl has also been Chairman of the Sports District of the Rhineland Sports Association since 2010, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Sports Talent Promotion Board since 2010 and a member of the Board of the Otto Leyser Foundation since 2017. He has received numerous awards from his club, sports associations and institutions for his commitment, including the Birkenfeld District Medal of Honor and the Rhineland-Palatinate Sports Medal.
"To summarize: Bernd Pohl lives the TVO," explained Lord Mayor Frühauf. The city council agreed and unanimously awarded him the Golden Badge of Honor. To great applause from the audience, the Mayor presented Bernd Pohl with the award certificate and pinned the badge of honor to his lapel.