Wiktor Zielinski will no longer represent his native country after Poland’s national federation attempted to stop him from playing in this week’s World Pool Championship.
Zielinski stepped aside from the Polish federation during the Matchroom and WPA fiasco due to them thwarting players from signing up to the World Nineball Tour, which at the time was not sanctioned or ratified by the sport’s governing body.
The Polish federation have notably stopped their players from attending the Hanoi Open Championship, with Zielinski being the only Poland-born player to have competed in that major event in the last two years.
Zielinski revoked his contract with the Polish federation ahead of last year’s World Championship in Saudi Arabia, therefore opting out of the funding and other benefits that players in Poland’s national team receive.
The 24-year-old chose his own path, took a gamble and made the decision that he believed was the best one for himself, although the Polish federation continue to create problems.
“Some of you have already noticed that the Polish flag is missing in the draw of World Nineball Championship,” Poznan-born Zielinski began in a social media statement.
“It is not made by a mistake and I simply can’t officially represent Poland. I have been getting some messages already about it and want to avoid any speculations and stupid theories.
“The main reason for that is Polski Związek Bilardowy [the Polish federation] who again tried to stop my participation in the event without any reason.
“Two weeks ago I was sure that I am not going to play here but it is not the case. Thanks to Matchroom Pool and the WPA for the help and finding for now some kind of a solution. I don’t how long but from now on I will not represent Poland.
“It is kind of a weird feeling but in the end I am happy that I can keep chasing my dreams and no matter how many times they stab my back and I fall down, I will always stand up and never give up.
“I have been having a nightmare with them for many years now and it was always impossible to quit them but now I finally see light in the tunnel.
“All I can say now is that I am happy I can play and enjoy my time here in Jeddah no matter what the result will be. But as always I will give 100 percent, so let’s see what happens and see you at the pool table.”
Zielinski will begin his World Pool Championship bid against Vietnam’s Bui Truong An on Tuesday, and he could face former Poland national teammate Mieszko Fortunski in the second round.
