NBA star Gortat visits Polish troops in Afghanistan

Marcin Gortat takes aim in afghanistan: photo - PAP/Jacek Turczyk

He told Polish soldiers that they are true heroes, as, unlike the athletes competing in sports halls, they risk their lives to make life safer for others.

Gortat said he was under the impression of the professional skills of Polish troops. He admitted that he’d wriggled out of military service, however, when serving in the Polish armed forces was compulsory.

“I was stupid because I didn’t realize what I was losing,” Gortat said.

Sporting the orange colours of his NBA team Phoenix Suns, Gortat joined the team of Polish soldiers in a basketball match against Americans.

The Polish team won 71 to 67.

From Bagram, Gortat goes to other Polish military bases in Afghanistan. The Polish contingent in that country numbers 2, 500 troops and personnel.

Marcin Gortat has set up a foundation which helps soldiers who had suffered in various ways while serving on military missions. This summer, it organized summer holidays for fifty children of those soldiers who lost their lives or suffered injuries. (mk/pg)