The city sports club "Ślepsk Malow Suwałki" has officially announced that it will not participate in the prestigious NAS Sports Tournament 2025, which will be held in Dubai. This was made clear in an official statement from the club.

Reasons to consider participation

📌 Ideal training conditions – Ślepsk Malow Suwałki would have had the opportunity for full-fledged training and maintaining competitive rhythm, as during this period the club's main hall – "Suwałki Arena" – will be engaged with another international event. The tournament in Dubai offered an ideal alternative for high-quality training and prestigious matches.

📌 Compatibility with PlusLiga calendar – The NAS Sports Tournament takes place during the break between rounds in PlusLiga and does not conflict with the club's schedule. On the contrary – it would provide additional game practice before the decisive match with PGE Project Warsaw (March 22), which could prove crucial for playoff participation.

The reason for the refusal

❌ Presence of Russian teams – Despite all the advantages of participation, the club cannot compromise its principles and the position of Polish volleyball. After consultations with the Polish Volleyball Federation and the Polish Volleyball League, Ślepsk Malow Suwałki maintained the stance of the Polish volleyball community not to compete with Russian teams.

The club assured its fans and partners that despite the refusal, it would seek alternative solutions for optimal preparation and would continue to represent Polish volleyball honorably at national and international levels.

Polish volleyball fans are not unanimous in their opinion following the club's refusal to participate in the tournament. Most welcome the decision, but there are others who regret the missed opportunity for their club to participate in the prestigious competition and express the opinion that sports should not be held hostage to politics.