Held at the DZ Bank at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, a ceremony recognised achievements throughout the year, with the Chancellor being joined by German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) President Alfons Hörmann.

The VfL Bad Wildungen club were honoured for actively approaching refugees to integrate them into the community, by offering them free membership to take part in sport at their clubs, such as football, boxing and swimming.

It is claimed the refugees became closer to existing members of the club and were able to improve their German language skills, helping them integrate in the country.

The club, run by volunteers, were presented with a cheque for €10,000 (£7,600/$10,900) by Merkel and Hörmann.

“Sport is a language that everyone understands immediately, regardless of skin colour, religion and nationality, it applies to all the same rules in a fair competition,” said Hörmann.

“Not where you come from, but where are you going and what you're willing to pay for it are the crucial questions.

“With the values of sport - mutual assistance, fairness and respect - we want the new citizens handed the keys to new vitality.”

The decision to honour VfL Bad Wildungen comes in the midst of the global refugee crisis, which has seen thousands of people make dangerous sea crossings across the Mediterranean after fleeing their homes in Africa and Asia, mainly as a result of war.

Germany was believed to have taken in 800,000 asylum seekers in 2015, four times more than the total from the previous year.

The 12th edition of the awards saw three audience prizes distributed for the first time, recognising innovative ideas.

After an online vote, non-profit organisation Sport Without Borders, the Plettenberg 1951 swimming club and the Todtglüsinger sports club were announced as the winners, receiving €2,000 (£1,500/$2,100) each.