A new terminal building at FlyBalaton International Airport in western Hungary has been named after the late football legend Ferenc Puskas to commemorate the Hungarian soccer star, whose star-studded career was honoured by a state funeral.
With George Best now the official title of what was, and still is Belfast Harbour Airport (BHD),clearly the idea of naming airports after deceased football idols is catching on. Fortunately Liverpool”s Speke has taken on the title of John Lennon which saves any controversy regarding it being named (Bob) Paisley International, which would not only upset one half of the city but might also cause problems with some supporters from Northern Ireland.
A senior official at the Local Government Ministry, Miklos Kovacs, said the airport, at Sarmellek, was making an increasingly important contribution to tourism in Hungary, with special regard to the Lake Balaton area.
The naming ceremony was attended by representatives of the Irish-Hungarian airport operator company Cape Clair Aviation and the Hungarian Tourism company. A memorial display was unveiled at the terminal building, portraying the high points of Puskas' career including his contributions to Hungary's 1950s ”Golden Team.”
Puskas, who died in November last year at age 79, scored 84 goals in 85 internationals for Hungary and 511 goals in 533 matches in the Hungarian and Spanish leagues. For English fans the story really began at Wembley in 1953. England 3 ” Hungary 6.