Sportsman, coach, team, Gdynia’s sporting hope (junior sports), sporting event and sporting partners – here are the categories for prizes. Among the nominees was also Igor Mazurenko. The World Championships organizer received a prize for “Sporting Event of the Year”.

- Once more I’m receiving a prize for organizing one of the best events of the year in this city – said Igor Mazurenko, organizer of 2013 World Cup in Gdynia. - I remember my first WC in 2001. I had no idea that almost 600 contestants from all over the world will arrive in Gdynia. In 2013 1200 people came, from 40 countries. Once more the reality was overwhelming, it was more than I could ever dream of.

In Mazurenko’s opinion, the 2001 Gdynia tournament helped develop the sport all over the world, just as the technologies and equipment (tables) born here. Some people may not realize that Mazurenko tables have been official WAF tables from 2002.

- Once again I would like to thank the city for helping organize this tourmanet – said Mazurenko. - No-one who’s seen this event can say that this is a niche sports discipline. In 2001 we became known thanks to local media: TVP 3 and Tele Top Gdynia. In 2013, the event was broadcast live in 25 countries.

This was the XV Gdynia Sports Gala, an event to sum up the sports aspects of the city life. During the awards ceremony, the president of the city, Wojciech Szczurek, gave out awards for sporting achievements, activities to promote physical culture and city promotion through sports.

Iza Małkowska