New Minister of Sport and Tourism
On 14 October 2009, Adam Giersz, the former Secretary of State in the Ministry of Sport and Tourism, became the Minister of Sport and Tourism.
Adam Giersz was born on 15 September 1947 in Elblag. He graduated from the Faculty of Economics of Production at the University of Gdańsk; he also holds a doctorate in economic science. In the years 1971-1988, Adam Giersz worked as an academic at the University of Gdańsk. In 1984, he graduated from extramural studies for coaches at the Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdańsk. Giersz was active in the field of sport as an athlete, coach, and a sports activist.
In the years 1984-1993, Adam Giersz was the coach of the Polish national team in table tennis with Andrzej Grubba and Leszek Kucharski being the core players. In 1985, the men’s national team won the bronze medal during the World Team Championships in Gothenburg.
In 1993, Giersz was awarded the Excellent Coach title – the highest award of the International Table Tennis Federation. He was the coach of the European team during matches with the Asian team three times. In the years 1994-2001, he was the President of the Polish Table Tennis Federation, and in the years 1998-2000 – a member of the Management of the European Table Tennis Union.
At the beginning of 1990s, Adam Giersz was an activist of the Liberal Democratic Congress. He ran in the 1993 parliamentary elections as the party’s representative.
In November 2001, Giersz was appointed President of the Office of Physical Culture and Sport (UKFiS) and Undersecretary of State in the Ministry of National Education and Sport. After the Office of Physical Culture and Sport was liquidated, he held the office of President of the Polish Sports Confederation. He was dismissed from the post of Deputy Minister of Education and Sport in December 2004. Adam Giersz became Deputy President of the Polish Olympic Committee in February 2005.
Adam Giersz held the position of Head of the Political Cabinet in the Ministry of Sport and Tourism from 21 March 2008 until 27 November 2008. Between 28 November 2008 and 14 October 2009, he was the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Sport and Tourism.
On 14 October 2009, Adam Giersz became the Minister of Sport and Tourism.
He was awarded the Silver Cross of Merit and the Knight’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta.