Today, one who once was a good handball player and sports journalist, but let his heart beat for the AIPS family, is now 85 years old . We’re referring to our fellow colleague  Günter Pfeistlinger, born on August 12th 1940, the still vigorous Austrian from Klagenfurt.

Pfeistlinger’s life has always been dominated by sports, and there - alongside his journalistic activities - handball and the AIPS.

In handball, he was a national player, founded a club in his hometown, was president of the Carinthian Handball Association, long-serving sports officer of the national team, Honorary member of the Austrian Handball Federation, apart from being honoured by many within the handball community.

Through his experience Günter also oversaw handball within AIPS. From 1994 to 2012, he was chairman of the AIPS handball commission for 18 years, in which he had already been a member before. From 2006 to 2017, he was a member of the executive committee of UEPS / later AIPS Europe, which appointed him as an honorary member in 2017. He was also part of the board of Sports Media Austria for many years, most recently for four years (until 2018) as treasurer.

Pfeistlinger has made great contributions to AIPS Europe. During his period within AIPS Europe was instrumental in organizing various Executive Committee Meetings, AIPS Congress and was always the point of reference when it comes to sport media administration.

When he resigned from his last position in 2018 and returned home as a newly elected honorary member from the Sports Media Austria Congress in Innsbruck, he and his Lilo, who was well-liked in the AIPS, had a car accident, which his beloved wife succumbed to six months later. A heavy disaster for Günter - but among his friends in handball and in AIPS, he found the comfort and support he needed.

AIPS Europe Executive Committee and members within the national associations warmly congratulate Günter Pfeistlinger on his 85th birthday and of course wish him many more years of good health.

Photo: Günter PFEISTLINGER (right) at his 80th birthday with Dr. Peter KAISER, govenor of Carinthia