INTERVIEW WITH VICE – SPEAKER OF SENATE OF REPUBLIC OF POLAND, MR. MAREK ZIÓŁKOWSKI.

Patriotism can be released by a sport.


Gminess Sport Oskars Competition was supported by you Sir from the very beginning. What made you involve in this particular project?

In Senate I am responsible for a local self-governments development, small fatherlands. I’m interested in this issue also as a sociologist. In my opinion all initiatives which from one side inspire a spirit of rivalry between particular autonomies and from the other side motivate to cooperation among the communities I find as an excellent way for local societies’ integration.

Very important seems to be a fact that the meaning of sport keeps growing significantly in everyday life. Similar situation concern tourism and leisure activity; more and more people connect their personal and professional life with those two aspects.
The second reason for which I supported Gminess Sport Oskars Competition was the possibility of presenting Senate as a protector of local self-governments. Senate of the first term begun reform of self – governments and since that time the Upper House performs a protector role in relation to local governments.
The third reason has a personal background. Competition has been initiated by a company from Poznan, and I - as a man from Poznan – identify myself with my little fatherlands. That’s why I’m happy for I could help and we achieved something real good together.
The fact that the Gminess Sport Oscars Gala awards has been organized in Senate is an unprecedented event. How did you convince the Speaker?

Mr. Speaker has a confidence in me. When I presented him the coverage of the gala, he stated that Senate should be open to off politic undertakings. At least from time to time. And there was not such an event in Senate yet. Personally, I think it was worth it. Initiatives like the Gminess Sport Oskars awards gala allow us senators, to be closer to people. For the winners, it is a great experience to receive prizes in the place, where politics care about the local communities’ affairs.
Will you agree with the opinion that the first edition of the competition was a success?

I must admit that I was very impressed. Gala was very well prepared. In Senate we hosted 7 Olympians, outstanding athletes. Contact with such personalities is always a great experience. I became confirmed in my belief that the ideas, when professional sport meets with the amateur one played by children, youth, the disabled are worth supporting. This balance gives a chance that a healthy spirit will become more common in a society and will be accompanied not only by athletes.

You mentioned that the importance of sport in the life of societies keeps growing.

Present – day sport is a kind of activity, which kindle patriotism both on the national and local level.
In the past patriotism was the most visible in the face of threats such as war, when people had to fight together for sovereignty and identity. It has been perceived as a feeling of attachment to the country or the city in specific situations. And how patriotism manifests itself today, every day? In the U.S.A., this is an extremely emotional attitude to the American flag, or just to sports contests by supporting the athletes representing the country. The magic of sport builds the sense of community on many levels – international, national and local. Although I’m not a fanatic football fan I support Lech Poznan team. But matches are more interesting for me rather because of their sociological point of view.
Coming back to the topic - I believe that sports as well as tourist and leisure activity can help in strengthening the European ties. As the United Europe we should remember that we are the community connected in the economic and cultural way. We also have a common history. We should try to know each other better, visit together to create something new. In a word – to live closer. European ties must be strengthen on multiple levels. That just sport and tourist exchange can serve the idea. It is a good chance of success for this activity – there are many young people here, and the privilege of youth is openness, curiosity, a willingness to make new friends.

In March next year, on the occasion of the second edition of the Competition finals, will take place European conference entitled "Dialogue through sport” also supported by you Sir. What do you expect after a visit of eminent athletes from EU in Poland and debates in which they will take part?

Taking into the consideration all I said before, we have to perform here in Poland an important task – i.e. to show what interesting is going on in our country. Why Poland is worth seeing. I think that the March conference can serve this well.
There is a chance that this sports - political event will reveal this additional level for cooperation in the European Union which is worth developing. On this occasion Europe's best athletes will meet Polish youth. It will be certainly fascinating for young people who want to devote themselves to sport or otherwise attach their professional life to sports, tourism or recreation. I hope that such events will become the driving force which accelerates the building of patriotism at the European level.
Have you got time for activity?

I must to admit that I practiced so called scientific tourism . I’ve been to many countries with the lectures. I entered into many valuable and amiable relations, acquaintances, friendships, which bring profits till today. I mention this because just this kind of activity shows how much can be done by opening to the world. I could, for example, help in organizing the conference "Dialogue through sport." Talking about my fitness I try to take care of my physical condition, because without it, it would be difficult to meet all my obligations. I like to ride a mountain bike. I also have a boat. I used to ski well, but after a knee injury, I had to limit a bit certain types of activity. My great passion in life was also ... a sports bridge.

INTERVIEW WITH VICE – SPEAKER OF SENATE OF REPUBLIC OF POLAND, MR. MAREK ZIÓŁKOWSKI.

Oskary Sportowe Gminess

Oskary Sportowe Gminess is a Polish, missionary competition, which aims at supporting local societies in encouraging healthy sports, touristic and recreational behaviour. Taking under consideration the pursuit of material goods in the society, we decided to create Oskary Sportowe Gminess in order to revive the spirit of Poles and promote the physical activity through the competition. First edition in 2008 was a great success, encountering the attention of many local authorities. We received countless proofs of activity in a field of sport, tourism and recreation. The inauguration of the competition took place in the Senate of the Republic of Poland.

Partners

The Partners of OSKARY SPORTOWE GMINESS are before all Polish Public Television, TVP 2 , Gazeta Wyborcza and regional Radio Merkury.
So far, until May 2009 there has been over 350 information about OSKARY SPORTOWE GMINESS.
In television: 8
In radio: 12
In the newspapers: 80
In the internet : 250

Competition

Second edition lasts until 31.12.2009. The participants will compete in 25 categories. The closure of this year’s edition will take place during Oskary Sportowe Gminess Gala, in March 2010. Oskary Sportowe Gminess is a great oppurtunity to present the achievements in broadening the sports, touristic and recreational attitude by the communities, cities and active people, but also to exchange opinions and to make new acquaintances. And yet the most essential result we obtained is the possibilty to draw on experience of those who made it, who have been awarded with Oskar Sportowe Gminess. That is why we invite you to partake in the competition of all active Poles, encouraging therefore to broaden the idea, which Oskary Sportowe Gminess advocates.

Oskary Sportowe Gminess