Česká zbrojovka supported an event in honour of heroes

For ten years, there has been a project by which HC Sparta Praha pays tribute to members of the Integrated Rescue System (IRS) and members of the Armed Forces of the Czech Republic (AČR) who lost their lives on duty. This jubilee titled “Pocta hrdinům” (Tribute to the Heroes) was traditionally supported by Česká zbrojovka a.s. as the general partner.

The event culminated with two ice hockey games of Sparta at O2 Arena against Vítkovice on 1 February and then against Pilsen on 3 February in a Sunday match with an opening ceremony. In this game, Sparta hockey players played in special jerseys. These included the names of all 191 fallen heroes of the IRS and AČR, who died in the line of duty from the establishment of the Czech Republic in 1993 until the end of 2018, whether in the Czech Republic or, as in the case of Czech soldiers, on foreign missions. “In Česká zbrojovka, we greatly respect the heroism of all who have sacrificed their lives to save others,” says Ladislav Britaňák, CEO of Česká zbrojovka a.s. “It is a great honour for us to sponsor the tribute project. With our long-term participation in the project, we appreciate the service of members of the military and law enforcement and, at the same time, try to make people realize that sacrificing oneself for the benefit of others and not thinking only about oneself is one of the most noble human qualities. Let us respect those who have enough bravery to sacrifice even their own lives to save others…”

The special jerseys of players and anniversary jerseys will be auctioned. The proceeds will be sent to the Police and Firefighters Foundation, Association of Emergency Medical Services of the Czech Republic and the Military Solidarity Fund. Fans greatly appreciated the possibility to personally thank the members of all units at the January home games of Sparta against Zlín, Kometa Brno and Liberec, where they used a special video corner in O2 Arena to record messages.

“We were very pleased by the fans’ interest in this event at both Sparta home games, especially the game against Pilsen, which was seen by fifteen thousand people,” says Ladislav Britaňák. “We are glad that we could support such a great and meaningful event.”