Wojciech Stępniewski for WP SportoweFakty: seven clubs support a foreign junior

WP SportoweFakty portal prepared an extensive interview with the President of the Speedway Ekstraliga, Wojciech Stępniewski. The material covered a range of topics concerning both the current situations in the speedway community and the concept of introducing a foreign junior in the PGE Ekstraliga.

WP SportoweFakty: We will discuss the U24 Ekstraliga shortly. I would like you to address whether you are considering abolishing the U24 rider or limiting it to one Polish senior in the lineup.

Wojciech Stępniewski (President of the Speedway Ekstraliga): In the context of protecting Polish riders, this change will never happen. I know the PZM’s position and have a similar view. The U24 position was introduced to provide younger riders with easier access to the senior period. Some have benefited from this, becoming leaders of their teams as seniors. I am thinking of Robert Lambert or Dominik Kubera, among others. Therefore, we are not considering removing this regulation, even though I am aware that with such changes, building lineups would be easier for clubs. However, I am not sure if it would be cheaper. To me, that’s a fantasy. If a rider appears on the market who fits the concept of three clubs, bidding will start again.

So what about the U24 Ekstraliga? 

Decisions have not been made, but we feel that some clubs did not take this opportunity seriously. They didn’t want to see development in it. They rather treated it as a necessary evil. From our perspective, subsidizing a project that is not serious and turning it into a second DMPJ competition misses the point. We will not break our heads against the wall, nor will we force anyone to anything. We are seriously considering whether it would be better to abandon this project. However, we want to first internally summarize it. Additionally, there must be another reasonable proposal on the table, not necessarily related to sports, perhaps with investments in acquiring new financial resources by clubs. There is no option for this money to go back to the first teams’ pool. Let me emphasize, it’s out of the question and clubs are aware of it.

How is the topic of a foreign junior in the PGE Ekstraliga from the 2026 season looking? It was said in the speedway community that this was your original project. It seemed that its implementation was certain, but apparently there are doubts.

First, let’s set the facts straight. The PGE Ekstraliga management presented PZM with a specific recommendation after consulting the clubs. A few days ago, we had a joint meeting with the clubs and once again summarized the expectations regarding the foreign junior in the PGE Ekstraliga. Seven clubs expressed positive views on this idea once again and are in favor of it. We propose a system in which one foreign junior can be used from 2026, who cannot replace Polish youths. To this end, we have created a model for subsidies for points scored by Poles in these positions. Everyone would thus have the choice to train and benefit or temporarily support themselves with a foreign player. I would like PZM to make a decision on this matter before the start of the 2025 season. I cannot assess what will happen, nor do I want to flip a coin, because the community’s opinions are strongly divided. 

The full interview is available on the WP SportoweFakty website HERE.