Minister Sterk joins Oranje Fanwalk ahead of Netherlands 5-1 win

Minister Mirjam Sterk of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport joined 15,000 supporters on the Oranje Fanwalk in Houston ahead of the FIFA World Cup match between the Netherlands and Sweden. The 1.7-kilometre orange procession ended at NRG Stadium, where the Netherlands recorded a 5-1 victory.

Sterk’s four-day working visit coincided with the Netherlands’ group-stage clash with Sweden. Sport, inclusion and the unifying power of football were central themes during meetings with KNVB chairman Frank Paauw, paid football director Marianne van Leeuwen and secretary-general Gijs de Jong.

At the FIFA Fan Festival, Sterk visited the Dutch fan zone where supporters sang ‘Wij Houden Van Oranje’ in unison. She also took part in the ‘Van Links Naar Rechts’ activity alongside fans of all ages and backgrounds. A visit to Houston Dynamo FC, whose home colours match the Dutch national team, followed.

The minister joined a training session of the Unified Team, a side featuring young players with and without intellectual disabilities. The session exemplified football’s role in bringing diverse communities together. At a reception hosted by the Netherlands Business Support Office, public, private and football stakeholders discussed collaboration opportunities and the societal impact of major sporting events.

The Oranje Fanwalk marked the climax of Sterk’s visit. Together with Paauw, she launched the orange procession that wound through downtown Houston. Inside the stadium, King Willem-Alexander, Queen Máxima and Princess Ariane watched the Netherlands’ 5-1 win over Sweden.

Sterk reflected on an inspirational day. “Sport verbroedert. As I’ve seen during my visit, football has an enormous power to bring people from different countries and cultures, young and old, with and without disabilities, together. At the festival, the fan walk and the match, you saw orange everywhere. It was one big celebration. At the same time, inclusion isn’t a given and as minister I believe it’s important to keep advocating for it.”

The working visit underscored the ongoing cooperation between the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport and the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB).

Minister Mirjam Sterk of the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport

“Sport verbroedert. As I’ve seen during my visit is the enormous power of sport, in particular football, to bring people from different countries and cultures, young and old, with and without disabilities, together. At the festival, the fan walk and the match you saw at all sides people in orange. It was one big party. At the same time inclusion is not a given and I find it important as minister to keep asking attention for it.”