Usually handed out to individuals, the Brusseleir of the Year prize for 2022 was given to the entire Union Saint-Gilloise club for their impressive return to the Belgian First Division and ongoing European campaign. Vic Anciaux, a former politician, was also given the honorary title of Brusseleir for Life.
Every year, the non-profit Brusseleir! awards two prizes: one for Brusseleir of the Year (won by Ibrahim Ouassari, founder and CEO of MolenGeek, last year) and one for Life.
This year, however, the title was awarded to Union Saint-Gilloise, one of the capital's most successful football clubs, rather than to a person.
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Having been promoted in 2021, they came within a hair's breadth of being crowned champions of Belgium on their return season, but were pipped in the play-offs by Club Brugge in May.
However, the Brussels side did qualify for the Europa League and advanced to the competition's round of 16 for the first time in the club's history after finishing top in their group.
As a result, the club as a whole has been awarded Brusseleir of the Year for 2022, with captain Teddy Teuma personally accepting the accolade on Wednesday, alongside supporters Jean-Pierre Van Roy and Yoan Yangassa.
Furthermore, Vic Anciaux, the former MP and Federal Secretary of State for the Volksunie (the former name of Flemish nationalist party N-VA), has been named Brusseleir for life. This is due to his many years of commitment to promoting the capital's culture, as he was a key figure in the purchase of famed music venue Ancienne Belgique.
Former politician Vic Anciaux named Brusseleir for Life. Credit: Nils Quintelier/Belga.
