It was already known that she had won the award, but today Emma Meesseman (32) also received the 2025 National Trophy for Sports Merit. Thinking of her late grandfather: “He would be proud that I’m so well-supported.”
Meesseman examined the trophy in great detail. Because the award is unique. Each athlete can only win the award once. This time, it’s the turn of our Belgian world-class basketball player.
“This is a great honor when I look at the names on the roll of honor,” Meesseman said on ‘VTM NIEUWS’. “I was absolutely stunned when I heard the news last month. It’s crazy that I won, because I play in a team sport. This award goes to all the Belgian Cats. Without them, I’m nothing.”
Because, as Meesseman herself says, she doesn’t do it for individual awards. I play basketball to make history as a team, win cups and medals, have fun, and be an example to young kids. Look at yesterday in Leuven. There were tons of young fans in the stands.
Seeing how happy those kids are when we sign autographs or take pictures with them feels amazing. I didn’t have that role model when I was younger. There was a national team, but it didn’t get much attention. We do have that platform, and we’re happy to be an example to the youth.
Hopefully, that will create a new generation of Cats we can support.
