Polish footballer receives Order of the Smile
PR dla Zagranicy
Victoria Bieniek
28.12.2016 11:18
Jakub Błaszczykowski, one of Poland’s highest rated football players, known for his charity work with children, on Tuesday received the internationally recognised Order of the Smile.
Jakub Błaszczykowski dubbed a Knight of the Order of the Smile. Photo: PAP/Waldemar Deska.
As part of the ceremony, he was dubbed on the shoulders with a rose and drank a cup of lemon juice without wincing.
“Above all I thank all kids … this is the best, truly happiest moment in my life … I will try not to rest on my laurels but to be even more involved,” Błaszczykowski said during the ceremony.
He was knighted during an event organised by his own charity, Human Gesture (Ludzki Gest), which aims to help children and youth.
Błaszczykowski is the third sportsperson among the 1,000-strong ranks of the Knights of the Order of the Smile.
Launched in 1968, it is the only award in the world granted solely by children.
The football star had a difficult childhood; his mother was murdered by his father when he was eight years old. He was raised by his grandmother, whom he thanked on Tuesday for raising him to be a “good person”.
Błaszczykowski plays for Wolfsburg in Germany’s Bundesliga and as a midfielder for Poland’s national squad. (vb)
Source: PAP