Ludwigsburg's sports legend Roland Kromer turns 85 after a lifetime of impact
Roland Kromer, a lifelong sports educator and local politician, will turn 85 on 17 March. His career spans decades of shaping Ludwigsburg's sports scene, from founding clubs to advising city leaders. Lord Mayor Dr. Matthias Knecht has personally congratulated him for his enduring influence in both sports and civic life.
Born in Ludwigsburg, Kromer began as a competitive athlete himself. He ran the 100 metres in 10.6 seconds and won multiple state titles in track and field. His passion for sport soon extended beyond the track.
In the 1970s, he co-founded three key organisations: the basketball division of TV Sonnenberg (1970), 1. FC Ludwigsburg football club (1972), and the city's *Bewegung für alle* (Sport for All) initiative. Later projects included the *Sport für Senioren* programme (1990), the Kromer-Sporthalle, and *Kicker-Kids* for youth football. He also launched campaigns like *Sport, Spiele und Spaß* (Sports, Games and Fun) and the Ludwigsburg Running Club. Beyond grassroots work, Kromer held public office. Elected to Ludwigsburg's city council for the CDU in 1971, he later joined the district council. For over 40 years, he pushed for better club funding and youth development. His professional roles included deputy director at the Baden-Württemberg State Institute for School Sports and volunteer coaching for the Württemberg and German Athletics Associations. Recognition for his contributions came in 2001 with the Federal Cross of Merit and again in 2020 with Ludwigsburg's Citizen's Medal. Even now, Dr. Knecht notes, Kromer remains a trusted advisor on sports policy and community projects.
Kromer's legacy includes three sports clubs, regional programmes for seniors and children, and decades of political advocacy. His 85th birthday marks a career that has left a lasting imprint on Ludwigsburg's athletic and civic landscape.
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