This is an expression of sports solidarity with Ukraine. The Ślepsk Malow Suwałki club withdrew from prestigious games because teams from Russia will take part in them.
Volleyballers from Suwałki spent Wednesday morning at the gym, as usual, giving their best. Until recently, plans for this period were different. During the break of the league games they were to appear at the International Tournament in Dubai, but they did not go.
– From a purely training point of view, it's a shame, because the promotion of the city, the promotion of the club, as well as the business that revolves around it could be something really special for our team. We have never had the opportunity to compete with teams at the international arena – says Dominik Kwapisiewicz, coach of MKS Ślepsk Malow Suwałki.
All because two teams from Russia are to appear in the tournament that is just beginning.
The organizers were to care about the presence of the Polish team
– There were a lot of reasons we analyzed, whether to go or not to go. The decision itself was made, I think that through this solidarity. For three years, Polish clubs or Polish teams – whether it is senior, youth, men or female – do not compete with teams from Belarus and the Russian Federation – indicates Wojciech Winnik, president of MKS Ślepsk Malow Suwałki.
Although – as the president of the Suwałki club says – the organizers were very keen on the presence of the Polish team.
– There was an idea to separate us into independent groups. There was an idea that if our competition takes place at any stage of the competition, we would give away the walkover. There were many such ideas for 24 hours, but I think that this Solidarity was the main principle – says Wojciech Winnik.
In Dubai Ślepsk Malow Suwałki could play with teams from France, Italy, Brazil or Egypt. He would also be the first Polish team to perform at this competition.
– It was definitely a chance to test with teams from other countries. We could see how we look against them, although this did not happen and we have the next match in front of us – says Bartosz Filipiak, captain of MKS Ślepsk Malow Suwałki.
The competitors were already preparing to leave. – You had to organize in our heads, how we pack, with whom we will play, what the tournament looks like. This information came that we are not going to this tournament and you had to unscrew the other way. I think that we were able to do it quickly – says Bartosz Filipiak.
In Suwałki, the end of the league season is now a priority.
– We will train a week and a half, we will play a match with the Warsaw project and from then we will have a little more free. We will have cultural meetings with various educational institutions, schools, kindergartens, and also going to our sponsors in thanks for this season. And we will slowly prepare for the next – says Dominik Kwapisiewicz, and coach Ślepsk Malow Suwałki.
Comments from Russia
Comments from Russia have already appeared to the matter. One of the sports services quotes the former fast skater, and now deputy to pride, which said that the resignation of Suwałki residents from the performance is a manifestation of Russophobia.
– They still have a Russophobia. But we will have to stand it because we will come back in a while. Will they stop participating in sporting events forever? This is their problem – comments Svetlana Żurowa, deputy to pride.
Ślepsk little Suwałki has been in the highest class since the 2019-2020 season. In the 2022-2023 season, volleyballers reached the quarter-finals of the Polish Cup.
– Slowly, these goals are growing somewhere. We assign to ourselves to start the fight for European cups in three or four years – says Wojciech Winnik.
Source of the main photo: Miłosz Kozakiewicz. Ślepsk Malow Suwałki