Members of the University Sports Association of Poland (AZS) were hosted by the President of the Republic of Poland Mr Bronislaw Komorowski on November 27, 2013. In his speech the President emphasised the meaning of mass sport, which is often a very first step to further professional career. “I am very sure, that everyone enthusiast of sport, as like as those, who take care of sport, knows very well that basis of professional sport always is its mass character in youth. That is why I would like to thank this organisation,” said the President. “When I was a kid, it was only about gathering on the meadow or by the forest to play sport. It was a need of our young bodies, hearts and the emotions. It is worth to promote and support the amateur sport,” added Mr Komorowski.

In the next part of the ceremony, the President had given certified Polish national flags to the AZS’ athletes and officials. Mr Komorowski especially noted to the hammer thrower Mr Pawel Fajdek, world champion and winner in the Universiade, his date of birth. “On the 4th June 2014 we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the first free elections in Poland since World War 2. It will be a moment to summarize our achievements since then. I have already checked, that Mr. Pawel Fajdek was born exactly on the very same day,” said Mr Komorowski.

Mr Marek Rocki, the chairman of the AZS, was very grateful for President’s invitation. “I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for your interest in academic sport. I am satisfied with fact, that you have appreciated our deeds for Polish sport and students, which last for over 100 years”. Later Rocki emphasised assistance, that the AZS receives from governmental institutions, thanking the Ministry of Sport and Tourism of the Republic of Poland and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education to be able to realize the purposes of the organisation, not only by taking part in academic sport competitions across the globe, by also on universities.