“The performances of our athletes at major sporting events across all disciplines carry Polish values and the beauty of the Polish national anthem. Athletes are often patriots – people who do a great deal for Poland. This element of patriotic attachment is often in their hearts, and regardless of whether it is top-level or amateur sport – it brings health, endorphins, and a smile. That is why I wanted to be here today and I am having a great time,” said the President of the Republic of Poland in an interview with TV Republika, who is attending a men’s third league basketball tournament today.
One of three final tournaments for promotion to the men’s second basketball league is currently taking place in Warsaw. PKS Basket Warsaw is hosting teams from Tarnobrzeg, Świecie, and Wieliczka.
President Karol Nawrocki appeared at the tournament today, along with the chaplain of the President of the Republic of Poland, Fr. Jarosław Wąsowicz. They were also accompanied by TV Republika’s programming director Michał Rachoń, who plays for PKS Basket on a daily basis.
In an interview with TV Republika, President Nawrocki stated that attending the tournament is a form of Sunday leisure.
“First of all, today is Sunday. From tomorrow morning, it is hard work, I also worked yesterday, and today I am spending the day with my wonderful sons. Instead of sitting at home and watching television, we decided to visit this basketball tournament. I am very happy about it, because I myself practiced amateur sports for many years and I see great passion in these teams – both in the ‘Polska’ project [PKS Basket] and in the teams from Świecie, Wieliczka, and Tarnobrzeg. I see how passionately they approach sport. What also builds me up is the atmosphere in the stands – we can see how many families come together to support their teams. This is of fundamental importance for building a healthy lifestyle, but also a network of people centered around such a positive sport as basketball,” said Karol Nawrocki.
When asked whether he finds time for training in his presidential life, the President stated that he trains regularly.
“I train regularly four times a week. Yesterday I completed my training – a pyramid. Of course, there is very little time, but when I see free time, I combine it with spending time with my family – today with my sons, and sometimes I also train with them. There is so little time that you have to combine family with sport, family with leisure time. I truly want to convince everyone that for those who want to train, there will always be time to train. Today’s basketball players are the best proof of that – they are soldiers of the Polish Armed Forces, officials, entrepreneurs – and they still find time to train. This builds social resilience,” he pointed out.
The President of the Republic of Poland emphasized that sport is also part of diplomacy.
“The performances of our athletes at major sporting events across all disciplines carry Polish values and the beauty of the Polish national anthem. Athletes are often patriots – people who do a great deal for Poland. This element of patriotic attachment is often in their hearts, and regardless of whether it is top-level or amateur sport – it brings health, endorphins, and a smile. That is why I wanted to be here today and I am having a great time,” he added.