A life journey in the service of sport

Claus Eric Nielsen was born and raised in Qaqortoq, and his roots extend from Greenland to Denmark. The mother is Greenlandic, the father Danish, and although he has understanding of both cultures, he has often felt that being half the one and half the other, it has not always been possible to reconcile.

- You are either a Greenlander or a Dane, and I am a Greenlander, he says with one pride that shines through.

Claus Eric Nielsen was born and raised in Qaqortoq, and his roots extend from Greenland to Denmark. The mother is Greenlandic, the father Danish, and although he has understanding of both cultures, he has often felt that being half the one and half the other, it has not always been possible to reconcile.

- You are either a Greenlander or a Dane, and I am a Greenlander, he says with one pride that shines through.

This one proud identity as a Greenlander permeates everything Claus Nielsen does. For he is not just the chairman of GIF, he is also a volunteer, a judge, sportsman and, of course, husband. A man of many roles, but with one thing in common drive: To give back to the country and people who have given him so much.

Association life from childhood

Childhood in Qaqortoq was a time characterized by activity, community and presence. Like the next one the youngest in a group of six siblings was Claus Nielsen used to being part of a close togetherness where family life was full of life, energy and dynamism. The sports hall was his second home – a place where he spent the hours playing, training and experiencing the joy to come by being part of a community.

- My mother once said that I might as well move out into the hall, because I only came home to eat or sleep, says Claus and laughs at the memory.

Then Claus participates in the Greenland football championships for the first time in 1978, is he only 14 years old. The championship takes place in Sisimiut, and it makes one indelible impression on him. The fascination of the big tournament and the many players who came from all over Greenland ignite a dream in him.

- I decided that I wanted to visit all the eighteen cities that were back then, there were still eighteen municipalities in Greenland, says Claus.

With his enormous passion for both Greenland, sport and community is second to none surprise that a few years ago he succeeded in crossing Tasiilaq off as the last city – a dream that really came true. This passion for community and his deep understanding of the value of relationships have characterized Claus' life far beyond the sports field. It is precisely the humanity he has experienced from childhood in Qaqortoq, which has been the cornerstone of both his personal and professional life. He has always had a strong belief that we are stronger together – a life philosophy he takes with him when he later moves to Nuuk, where his commitment to association life and the community becomes even greater meaning.

Leadership and unification dream

Like just 18 years old, Claus joins the board of K‑33, the first step on a journey that will not only shape his own life, but also shape Greenland association and sports environment for future generations. That role will be his blasting board. It opens doors to several management positions and ignites a lifelong passion passion to build something bigger. In 1991, he joined the board of The Greenland Handball Association with a clear ambition: to bring Greenland to the WC before for a decade. And sure enough, 10 years later, in 2001, Greenland makes its debut the handball world championship. It's not just a personal goal, but one historical milestone. Claus' efforts were central to this journey.

- I don't know if it was a coincidence that it happened exactly after 10 years, but it did It was fantastic to be part of creating history, he says.

Claus himself also knows the winning mentality first hand. In his younger days, cultivator he different sports, and one of the most significant moments in his sporting career is when K 1933 senior men, where he played, returns home as Greenland champions in football in 1991.

But his vision does not stop at Greenland's championships and World Cup participation. Claus is also among the driving forces behind the establishment of artificial grass pitches in Greenland — the first will of course be built in his hometown of Qaqortoq. It's about that open possibilities: create courses that can be used all year round and invite more people to join, regardless of age or background. Through his many years in management and volunteering work, Claus has shown that leadership is not a title for him. It is one commitment, a dream to give back, and a belief in sport and community can build bridges between people and places.

- The earlier you start with board and association work, the longer you can man now. You learn to lead, distribute tasks, create direction and strategy - everything together something that can make a difference to society, explains Claus, who today is chairman of the Greenland Sports Confederation (GIF) and has been part of GIF since 2007, both as general secretary and board member.

With his many years at the head of the sports communities, both as a leader and as an active member participant, it is not surprising that it is precisely Claus who possesses this important mail. His passion for sport, community and development has for many years been the driving force behind his involvement in association life, and his experience from numerous board positions make him a natural leader for GIF.

- I have always had a strong belief that we can make a difference through sport and community. To help shape the leaders of the future and to show them the way young people, it's something that really drives me at the moment, says Claus.

I today, Claus is not only focused on carrying on his own ideas, but on train and inspire the next generation of sports leaders. He knows they are young people who must take up the baton and continue the work to develop the role of sport in Greenland.

World citizen of sport

Claus has had a remarkable journey through the world of sports and he has got opportunity to experience many of the far corners of the globe. From North Korea to He has traveled to Canada and China and met sportsmen and leaders from all over the world. His international network is impressive and his passion for sports has led him to places and people he had never dreamed of meeting. One of the most significant experiences have been his connection to His Majesty King Frederik, who was a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) from 2009 to 2021. Through their joint involvement in sport, Claus has enjoyed both the king's acquaintance and his enthusiasm for promoting the values of sport.

- The king and I are hugging. We share a great enthusiasm for the ability of sport to build bridges and create communities, says Claus, and it is clear that the shared commitment to Olympic values and global sports development has been an important part of his international experience.

And precisely in this Olympic world, Claus has one of the experiences he remembers most clearly. In 2010 he is invited to the International Olympics Seminar in the Opera in Copenhagen. Here he is suddenly face to face with one of the greatest legends in sports history – his own great idol, Pelé. Claus has met many personalities over the years, but the meeting with the previous world best footballer stands as a moment that can still make him smile wide.

Claus has had countless, extraordinary experiences that have given him deep insight insights into both sports and human nature. Another notable thing moments came when he is invited to the Indian Games. This experience will be the starting point for Claus himself to introduce the Indian Games in Greenland, which in today runs under Arctic Sports. One of the more spiritual and moving experiences takes place in 2012 in Whitehorse, Canada, where Claus meets a chief.

- I go into the chief's teepee. He looks at me, and even though we're not talking, does he have a sense that I am a leader. So he takes off a necklace himself and gives it to me. A feather in a mammoth tooth, says Claus, and pulls the chain forward.

Claus today wears the gift around his neck on a small leather cord. It is a reminder the deep respect he has met on his travels and about that feeling connection that goes beyond words and titles.

When life changes course

Claus carries a grief that has forever changed the course of his life. In 2017, he loses his wife, Hansine, his life partner for many years, after a transplant in connection with the leukemia she was diagnosed with in 2015. He remembers clearly how the doctors explained that the match was not quite ideal.

- There was a risk, and unfortunately that risk won, says Claus quietly, with the special calm that only people who have borne great pain know.

When Hansine passes away, Claus is left with the couple's two children, Laila and Qillaq. They are young adults, but grief hits them all with full force.

- I used an enormous amount of energy to help the children move on. I believe maybe I forgot myself a little. But we decided to accept fate – and we stayed together. We still do that, he says warmly.

The loss binds the small family of three even closer together. Although both children today live in Denmark, they often talk together, and Claus visits them so often, he can. The relationships have become stronger, deeper – and more significant than ever.

- I have always encouraged them to have experiences and follow their dreams. And I am infinitely proud of both of them. They are decent people, really proper, and that makes me so proud, says Claus, and the voice reveals both love, loss and the unbreakable strength that binds them together.

Life as education

Besides Claus has been the boss of all his voluntary board work since 2023 Greenland's Fisheries & Jagtkontrol, a unit under Self-government. Earlier went himself on the hunt, but nowadays time is short, understandably, with all those management posts on his table. Claus' path to this position has not been easy straightforward – it has been filled with different experiences, changing directions and meetings with people who have helped shape him. That's right, Claus himself sees life: as a journey where every experience is an opportunity for learning and growth.

- Education was just something I needed to get started, but whole my life has been a great education, says Claus with a smile that contains both reflection and experience.

When Claus today sits at the end of the table as head of Greenland's Fisheries & Hunting control and must hire new employees, it is not what the papers say at the top of his list. It is the person behind the application, and the life experiences that they bring with them.

- It's fine that you have papers and some theory, but I'm more interested in what you have worked with, what you have experienced. it is there the ballast is located, he explains.

This philosophy has shaped his life and work in all the many roles he has undertaken over the years. For Claus, it's about being authentic, that learning from experience and taking responsibility – not just for what is in his position, but for the people and the society he is a part of.

- I am very proud of my country. Both culturally and sportingly. I have experienced so much, been allowed to make a difference and met so many people, says Claus with a seriousness that carries the weight of many years of experience.

When he speaks, it's clear that his commitment isn't just something he does— that's something he is. And it is not only in his words, but also in his actions that it is clear that he has left his mark on the society he is one part of. Wherever Claus walks, stands or sits, there is always someone to say hello on him – a reminder of the influence he has had on many lives throughout the years. For Claus, it is never just a matter of management or success. That is about making a difference, making connections and being part of something greater than itself.