The Military Sports Gala was held on March 30 at the Communications and Information Training Centre in Zegrze. It was attended by Minister of National Defence Antoni Macierewicz, Minister of Sport and Tourism Witold Bańka, General Commander of the Branches of the Armed Forces Maj. Gen. Jarosław Mika, Inspector of Training of the General Command of the Branches of the Armed Forces Brig. Gen. Andrzej Danielewski, representatives of military units and institutions, military sports associations, coaches, activists, as well as the laureates—soldier-athletes.
Minister Macierewicz also assured that the ministry would pay greater attention to the development of sport in the army: “We will modernize sports infrastructure and change our involvement in sport so as to support it as much as possible. So that the Polish flag is raised on the mast as often as possible at the most important events.”
“As representatives of Poland, proudly competing with the eagle on your chests, you are not only a great role model and example for the army. You are the pride of the Polish army, but also of all Polish citizens who cheer for you, keep their fingers crossed for you and are moved by every success of yours,” Minister Bańka said. The head of Polish sport also thanked the athletes for their attitude and commitment. “By winning honors for Poland, you are making our country famous throughout the world,” he stressed.
Among the nominees in the category of the 10 best soldier-athletes, the Polish Armed Forces Champions in General Sport, was Pfc Karolina Kędzia, who represents the 23rd Silesian Artillery Regiment in Bolesławiec. In 2016, the artillerywoman proved that she had no equal in the military pentathlon and won the gold medal, thereby becoming the Polish Armed Forces champion in the event. Just one month later, she won three medals (one silver and two gold) at the Polish Armed Forces Swimming Championships.
Here are the names of the best:
- Senior Corporal Rafał Wójcik – 12th Mechanized Brigade, Szczecin
- Pfc Natalia Szczęsnowicz – 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade, Świętoszów
- Senior Private Marcin Horbacz – 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade, Świętoszów
- Lieutenant Marcin Kołoszuk – 4th Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Czerwieńsk
- Corporal Dawid Dworak – Land Forces Training Centre, Poznań
- Pfc Karolina Kędzia – 23rd Artillery Regiment, Bolesławiec
- Private Adam Nowicki – 12th Command Battalion, Szczecin
- Senior Private Krzysztof Woźniak – 2nd Mechanized Brigade, Złocieniec
- Private Paulina Kaczyńska – 12th Mechanized Brigade, Szczecin
- Senior Private Mateusz Demczyszak – 10th Armored Cavalry Brigade, Świętoszów.
The celebrations were enhanced by performances by the Representative Artistic Ensemble of the Polish Army, while the Military Sports Gala was hosted by well-known journalist and sports commentator Przemysław Babiarz.
