Widzew Łódź successfully concluded its 5th "Local Government Sports Club" Congress, held on April 30, 2026, at the Łódź Special Economic Zone. The event brought together representatives from the sports and business communities to discuss the crucial role of sport in building a strong community and developing infrastructure. Widzew Łódź emphasizes its commitment to local government and business relations, extending beyond the first team.

Michał Rydz, Chairman of Widzew's board, opened the congress, welcoming the numerous guests. He noted that what began as a modest conference has grown into a significant event, demonstrating the increasing importance of collaboration between the club and local partners. He stressed that Widzew Łódź is not just about sport but also a vital social and economic entity with a real impact on the region.

Among the distinguished guests were Senator Krzysztof Kwiatkowski, First Deputy Voivode of Łódź Marek Mazur, and Secretary of the Łódź Voivodeship Robert Kolczyński. Michał Sobczak, Vice President of the Łódź Special Economic Zone, also spoke on behalf of the host. Before the discussion panels, thanks were extended to Sponsors and Partners, including Łódź Agglomeration Railway, FlexiPower Group, CPD Koluszki, Sunseeker Elite, Uniq Logistic, Dywilan, Masterlight, Sanator-Bis, and D&D, by Krzysztof Sikora and Emilia Rybińska.

The first panel, moderated by Piotr Baleja of Widzew TV, focused on the development of sports infrastructure. Experts discussed significant changes in recent years and the current state of football pitches. It was highlighted that almost every municipality now boasts well-developed sports facilities, enabling children and young people to develop their skills.

Marek Mazur, First Deputy Voivode of Łódź, emphasized that fostering sports is one of the responsibilities of local government. He pointed out that sport not only promotes the region but also activates residents by providing them with conditions for physical activity. The development of sports infrastructure is therefore in everyone's interest, representing an investment rather than a cost.

Local governments recognize sport as a tool for implementing the province's strategy, encompassing youth activation, health-promoting activities, and social integration. Events like Widzew Łódź matches, as well as smaller initiatives in municipalities, strengthen local ties and a sense of community, which was the main message of the 5th "Local Government Sports Club" Congress.