On Wednesday, June 4th 2014, a branch of Lechia Gdańsk Football Academy was opened in Kokoszki. It is the twelfth branch of the Academy opened as part of the 'White and green future with LOTOS' programme.

"The branch in Kokoszki is the second one we have opened this year. It is also a special one. In May, with the opening of the branch in Elbląg, the programme coverage was extended beyond the Province of Gdańsk. Now, the branch in Kokoszki will further strengthen 'White and green future with LOTOS' programme's presence in Gdańsk. We are doing this for the children living outside the city centre to give them easier access to professional training," said Paweł Olechnowicz, President of the Grupa LOTOS Management Board.

The branch in Kokoszki is a new place for training football in Gdańsk. It was created primarily for children living in areas outside the ring road, at the outskirts of Gdańsk, where new estates are being built, with larger numbers of young people.

"Kokoszki is located in a fast growing area near Gdańsk. It is a place that has the necessary infrastructure and where new estates are being developed. We are also aware that it may be troublesome for some parents to drive their children for sports training to the city centre and therefore we decided to meet them half-way. It is the twelfth branch on the map of the 'White and green future with LOTOS' programme." "Development of this programme is feasible thanks to very successful cooperation with its sponsor, Grupa LOTOS," emphasised Bartosz Sarnowski, President of the Lechia Gdańsk football club.

The branch of Lechia Gdańsk Football Academy was established pursuant to an agreement with the Jaguar football club of Kokoszki. It is one of the most active clubs in Gdańsk providing football training for children and youth. At present, it has 170 young trainees from Kokoszki, Karczemki, Kełpino, Banino, and Osowa.

The agreement between the Lechia Gdańsk Football Academy and the Jaguar club was signed on Wednesday, June 4th 2014, at the sports venue located at ul. Budowlanych in Gdańsk-Kokoszki. One of the signatories was Paweł Adamowicz, President of Gdańsk.

"I hope that football academies such as this one will contribute to increasing Lechia Gdańsk's potential," said Paweł Adamowicz.

The ceremony was also attended by Adam Nawałka, manager of Poland's national team, which is set to play a friendly with Lithuania on Friday in Gdańsk.

"If you were playing in my team, I would be certain of success," Adam Nawałka said to the young football players. "Enjoy playing football and be persistent in pursuing your goals. I would also like to congratulate Lechia and LOTOS on their idea of how to develop the Academy," added Mr Nawałka who, together with Tomasz Iwan and Wojciech Łazarek, was handing prizes to players in a school team tournament.

The young sports enthusiasts also had an opportunity to talk to Kajetan Kajetanowicz, one of the best European rally drivers, member of the LOTOS Rally Team. The popular driver signed posters and readily answered numerous questions.

"I am glad to see these young, enthusiastic people. They asked a lot of interesting questions, and it is clear they know a lot about sports. The most difficult question was the one about my age. I am 36 and if I were a football player I would be nearing retirement. However, as a rally driver, I still have some opportunities ahead. I hope that these young people will be at the peak of their careers when I retire," said Kajetan Kajetanowicz.

The event was accompanied by a sport festival. A school team tournament was held and students took part in sporting and dancing games and competitions.

Communication Office, Grupa LOTOS S.A., ul. Elbląska 135, 80-718 Gdańsk, Poland, tel. (+48) 58 308 87 31, (+48) 58 308 83 88, e-mail: media@grupalotos.pl