As part of our sports diplomacy efforts, the U.S. Embassy’s Public Affairs Section participated in the opening of the first football field in Poland in Zielona Gora on October 21. Also participating in the opening day events were 50 soldiers from the 497th Combat Service Support Battalion located in Powidz. The U.S. army soldiers first took part in a flag football tournament with the local football team, the Zielona Gora Wolfpack, and a German club. The soldiers then interacted with the crowd, handing out flags and mini-footballs to the youth football teams and teaching the younger players how to throw, catch and, most importantly, how to celebrate when you score.
The stadium was built thanks to the support of the local government in Zielona Gora and includes a state-of-the-art field turf surface, lighting and covered seating for up to 1000 spectators. The local football team worked with the city to build the stadium based on the support of local residents and the team’s efforts to introduce and grow the game in the local schools. The U.S. Embassy’s sports diplomacy program supports this and other initiatives that seek to increase the popularity of sports, especially among youth. Sports are a wonderful way to connect with youth and teach them positive values of leadership, teamwork, responsibility and tolerance.
Congratulations to the city of Zielona Gora for the opening of the first field dedicated to American football and to the Zielona Gora Wolfpack on their inaugural victory!
