"Strike their hearts, strike with swords." How the Belarusian "Pahonia" spent its first season in the Polish football league

Match between "Pahonia" and Warsaw "Piorun". April 18, 2026

More than a century ago, the classic of our literature, Maxim Bahdanovich, wrote about cold steel that was supposed to help Belarusians not become strangers and preserve their identity in difficult conditions. Today, Belarusians in Warsaw use a leather ball and sport for this purpose. The Belarusian football club "Pahonia," composed of amateurs, was established in 2022 and has already fully played in official competitions in the 2025/2026 sports season.

Football Club — First and Foremost a Platform for Preserving Identity

Illia Shyla, one of the representatives of the team's board of directors, begins his story by reflecting on how football is very strongly connected with a person's identity. He mentions that this is partly explained by the social conditions in which the sport developed in its homeland, Great Britain.

"At the beginning of the last century, England experienced significant urbanization. People moved from villages and towns to big cities, where they joined football clubs. This helped them find their identity. It helped them make acquaintances and contacts in new, unknown conditions," says Shyla.

He believes that today the Belarusian football club faces a similar task. For many Belarusians, moving to Warsaw is forced emigration, a loss of their usual routine and relationships. Thus, "Pahonia" can become such a place for many to preserve their identity, friendship, and receive help in the difficult conditions of living not in their own country.

Shyla himself was a talented athlete in his youth. He played football at the school of Soligorsk "Shakhter" and showed great promise. However, at a crucial moment, instead of sports, the young man chose education and went to Poland to study under the Kalinouski Program.

"In Soligorsk, when you go out into the yard, you have a choice of what to do. In older years, it's alcoholism. In younger years, it's football, which gradually flows into alcoholism for many in the city. That's how local football works," Illia Shyla recalls his youth in Soligorsk.

Thus, the man rejoices in his decisions, which first saved him from alcohol, and then from professional football, which again leads to alcohol.

Now Illia is a developer and businessman. Many know him through the cleaning company "Chysty Kit" (Clean Whale), although this is far from the only business the Soligorsk native is involved in. In his youth, the man was a well-known activist of the "Malady Front" (Young Front).

Search for 80,000 Zlotys and a Home Stadium. The Season Was Bright, But Not Easy

The inaugural football season for "Pahonia" was quite difficult. The team's organizers had to launch all operational processes from scratch, and virtually no one had relevant experience. But there was a lot of enthusiasm. Illia Shyla compares this story to playing a "football manager" game, but at a higher level.

Belarusians received the decision with permission to participate in the championship very late in 2025. In fact, the competitions, for which opponents had been preparing all summer, were already starting. After 3 years of attempts, the Masovian Voivodeship Football Federation found a way to register "Pahonia" and enter them into Poland's lower league, where all new teams begin. It is called "Klasa B" (Class B) and is effectively the official 9th division. For comparison, Belarus has only 3 football divisions.

Official player registration became unexpectedly complicated. Even despite the Polish Football Federation accommodating the Belarusians. An exception was made for the participation of foreigners and non-EU citizens in the team. According to official regulations, only 3 players in the squad can be without a European passport. However, the issue of playability for people with international protection and asylum in Poland remained unresolved.

The thing is, all players must obtain a license through a special international program, which essentially means sending a request to the "Belarusian Football Federation." Some players were unable to participate in matches for a year because they did not want to and could not send a request to a sports body dependent on the Belarusian state. The Polish Federation has not yet been able to resolve this difficult dilemma, which it has never encountered in its history.

Another challenge was finding funds to participate in the competitions. Covering expenses for renting venues for matches and training, travel, and equipment required significant effort. Shyla says the season's budget was approximately 80,000 zlotys (about 21,500 dollars).

The team received money from "Pahonia"'s main sponsor — the construction company TLBud, the company "Chysty Kit," and one Belarusian furniture firm. Additionally, the footballers contributed part of the money from their own pockets. Illia Shyla laughingly recalls that the Polish brewery Warka even sent "Pahonia" 2 cases of beer, responding to the team's Instagram post.

The Belarusian club also experienced curious situations. While the Polish Federation was resolving all legal details for the footballers' participation in the championship, the team missed several opening rounds. The guys were unable to replay those matches, even though they had agreed with their opponents. The 30-day period stipulated by the regulations expired, and as a result, the team suffered a series of "technical defeats." Despite the difficulties, "Pahonia" finished the season in a rather high 5th place in the standings. The team gained 45 points and managed to score as many as 80 goals in 23 matches.

October Evenings in Ożarów Mazowiecki

It proved difficult for Belarusians who had lost their home to find a "home stadium." The first part of the championship had to be played outside Warsaw — in Ożarów Mazowiecki. Illia Shyla says that this was not only a difficult logistical challenge but also a challenge for fans.

"It was hard to imagine that someone in October would travel to Ożarów in the evening to cheer for us. It's simply crazy, but such people existed. One person almost took offense at me when I asked why he had come to a late match so far away," recalls the head of the football club.

By the end of the year, the Belarusian team seemed to have found a home. Now the footballers play their matches in Warsaw's Praga — at the "Błyskawica" stadium on Kowieczyńska Street, 44. It is likely there that "Pahonia" matches can be seen next season.

Reflecting on the team's development, Illia Shyla says that "Pahonia" has become more professional in its approach to competitions. At the beginning of the season, players only met for matches, but closer to Christmas, weekly training sessions began. The head coach of the team became the famous Brest footballer Vitali Hajduchyk. He is best remembered for his performances for Barysaw's "BATE" in the Champions League. The athlete played against stars like Neymar, Xavi, Iniesta, and now tries to make stars out of ordinary Belarusians in the diaspora.

Павялічыць

Match between "Pahonia" and Warsaw "Polonez". Warsaw, April 12, 2026

Poles Are Friendly, While in Belarus, Instagram Was Labeled Extremist

Shyla notes that "Pahonia" is becoming an ambassador for Belarus in the football world, and local teams and fans are quite friendly towards the club. He says that not once during all the matches has the team encountered manifestations of discrimination or insults. Rather, one could encounter a friendly attitude, and the team also managed to establish good relations with its league rivals. It was noticeable how the locals respectfully regarded the fact that Belarusians managed to organize themselves and create their own team in unfavorable conditions.

The Belarusian state also did not overlook the club. "Pahonia"'s social media accounts were recognized as "extremist materials." Although the club itself does not yet have such a status. If the court of the Chyhunachny district of Gomel suddenly makes such a decision — an interesting precedent could occur, as Belarusians compete in official competitions under the auspices of the Polish Football Federation and effectively UEFA. It will be interesting to see how an international body reacts to this.

Павялічыць

Match between "Pahonia" and GPK from Targówek. Warsaw, May 10, 2026

What's Next?

Now the organizers of "Pahonia" face the difficult task of preparing for the next season. Among the things that will be a priority for the team, Illia Shyla named building a community around the team.

Speaking about the team's goals, the man notes that creating a community of people was "Pahonia"'s initial goal.

"Unfortunately, last year we had to spend a lot of time setting up all the processes and just finishing the season, which took a lot of effort," says Shyla.

He believes that the new year will be more friendly and interesting for fans. A series of public events is planned to introduce the club to Belarusians in Warsaw and beyond. For this, the team will try to arrange live broadcasts of every match with commentators.

Currently, the football club is looking for partners who would fill the team's budget for the next season. The organizers want the club to become more open and transparent. Illia Shyla notes that it's great to have a major sponsor, but for the team's goals and security — it's best to have many "small funders." They would feel their belonging and responsibility for the project's fate. For now, the guys are considering what they can offer in return for investments. Whether it will be participation in decision-making, player selection, or even involvement in training sessions.

The club announces the launch of its own website, where one can follow results, read the latest team news, purchase its merchandise, and also join "Pahonia"'s activities even from the farthest corners of the world. It was developed by Illia's brother — Ivan Shyla.

Павялічыць

Match between "Pahonia" and GPK from Targówek. Warsaw, May 10, 2026

The football club invites all interested parties to attend training sessions, which take place on Tuesdays. Participation is possible by prior arrangement via Instagram. "Pahonia" will also be interested in volunteers who can realize any of their bold wishes within the project.

The team of migrants first announced itself in 2022. Then "Pahonia" participated in the Polish Football Cup in the Masovian Voivodeship. The club started its journey with a confident 4:0 victory, and the match gathered several hundred fans in the stands. Several thousand people watched the online broadcast. Three employees of the "Belsat" TV channel were also involved in the creation of the initiative.

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