“Polonija Vilnus” leaves the A league, and Kismo resigns from the position.

December 20th is the last Day, on which the request for license to participate in Lithuanian A league can be handed in. Entry fee is 18 thousand. LTL, but the football club “Polonija Vilnius” unfortunately cannot afford it, as no sponsors have been found. Furthermore, Stefan Kimso- club-president of many years’ standing, announced his resignation.

Recent matches were not so much about the score as about finding the sponsors, who would guarantee the participation in the following season, unfortunately lack of responses may force the team to resign from participation in the A league- says Stefan Kismo, president of the “Polonija Vilnius” club.

As the club-president says, the entry fee does not have to be paid immediately, however it’s necessary to prove it can be done, which is impossible for the team.

Kismo handed in his resignation

In February this year, the club-president of “Polonija Vilnius” announced his resignation from the post, however due to the situation, he has been carrying out the club-president’s duties and responsibilities ever since. “I announced my resignation in February this year, and now I’m going to fulfill it’ – stated Kismo

Fans appeal to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The support-organization for “Polonija Vilnius”, however does not give up, as they appealed to The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Poland.

 “We appeal to you as the head of the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs with a request for support for the Polish sports club “Polonija Vilnius” (…) the players, new in the A league, despite achieving 12 wins during a season, received a symbolic gratification in the amount of 50 LTL (around 60 zloty) for each winning match (…)

Unfortunately, the whole idea of ​​the club and the participation in matches, during the spring to the autumn season 2013 in the A league, is at risk due to the financial reasons. (…) therefore we turn to you for the support of the initiative to save the Polish football club in the Eastern borderlands, playing in the very top league (…) it would be a shame to waste all the successes and the potential displayed by the club” – quotation from the petition.

The club was established in 1990. At the beginning the club was called  The Sports Club of Poles in Lithuania “Polonija”, subsequently the part’ Vilnius’ was added to the name. In 2011 in the II league, the team won the first place and advanced to the A league, and in the Lithuanian Football Federation Cup they reached the 1/8 finals. The last season of 2012, “Polonija Vilnus” reached, high- 5^th position, and in the Lithuanian Football Federation Cup they reached the 1/6 finals.

Source: http://pl.delfi.lt/kultura/kultura/polonia-wilno-pozegna-sie-z-i-liga-a-kimso-z-polonia.d?id=60264287

Tłumaczenie Jacek Malatyński w ramach praktyk w Europejskiej Fundacji Praw Człowieka, www.efhr.eu. Translated by Jacek Malatyński the framework of a traineeship programme of the European Foundation of Human Rights, www.efhr.eu.