Group photo, standing from left journalists Ruth Keah,Mercy Tyra, Dennis Beru and Kui Mugweru, kneeling left Bosco Kathima and our host guide Ivan Butmiarchuo at Legia Stadion Poland.
Football has always been more than a game to me. It’s a passion that shaped my childhood and continues to inspire me as I manage FC Creative Hands, a local football team based in the vibrant slums of Mukuru kwa Reuben, Nairobi.
This small team embodies the resilience and dreams of our community, and through my journey, I work tirelessly to inspire young players to dream big.
So, when I heard about the opportunity to visit Poland with my fellow journalists from Kenya through HumanDoc’s Transcontinental Dialogues: Poland in Kenyan Media Spaces Project, my heart raced.
Led by the HumanDoc Foundation, in partnership with the Association of Grassroots Journalists Kenya (AGJK) and funded by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this project was a chance for me to experience something truly extraordinary.
I dared to dream: what if I could visit one of Poland’s most iconic stadiums, the Polish Army Stadium—home of Legia Warsaw Football Club?
When my request was granted, I could hardly believe it. On November 16th, my dream became reality as our host tour guide, Ivan Butmiarchuo, led us to the legendary Legia Stadion.
Located at 3 Łazienkowska Street in Warsaw’s Powiśle area, the Marshall Józef Piłsudski Legia Warsaw Stadium is a marvel of football history and architectural excellence.
Opened in 1930, this stadium was originally designed by Maksymilian Dudryk-Darlewski as a representative Military Stadium. Back then, it boasted a 5,000-seat grandstand and facilities like locker rooms, gyms, and even a cycling track around the pitch.
Fast forward to the 1990s, the stadium underwent a dramatic transformation. Thanks to Legia Warsaw’s successful streak, including championships in 1994 and 1995 and a UEFA Champions League quarterfinal appearance in 1996, a new state-of-the-art facility was commissioned.
Designed by the German firm JSK Architekten, today’s Legia Stadion meets UEFA Elite standards, capable of hosting semi-finals of Europe’s most prestigious tournaments. It is also the second largest stadium in Warsaw Poland’s capital.
As we approached the stadium, the first thing to catch my eye was a tribute to Kazimierz Deyna, a Polish football legend and one of the most revered playmakers of his generation. Throughout his career he played for such clubs as Legia Warsaw, Manchester City and San Diego Sockers.
Seeing his photograph proudly displayed, I couldn’t resist asking my colleague Kui Mugweru to snap a picture of me beside it—a perfect keepsake of this moment.
Despite the biting winter cold, our spirits were warm with excitement.
Our host guide Butmiarchuo treated us to thoughtful souvenirs—team flags and fridge magnets—and then the real adventure began.
The stadium’s tour guide took us for a tour around the stadium, from the players’ changing rooms to the sauna, media areas, and finally the immaculate pitch, every corner of this stadium told a story of pride, passion, and preservation.
“The stadium seats 31,103 people, with the potential to expand to 33,609 for standing-room events” tour guide said.
The seats are crafted from weather-resistant polypropylene, and their green, white, and red color scheme echoes the club’s iconic colors.
The stadium features three categories of seating: regular seats, press seats, and VIP seats. Press seats come equipped with additional desktop space, power outlets, and internet access, ensuring a comfortable working environment for media professionals.
The lower stands are green, while the upper levels showcase a blend of green, white, and red. The east grandstand prominently features a white inscription spelling out “LEGIA.”
One feature that stood out to me was how meticulously the stadium preserves its history. Photographs dating back to the 1930s line the walls, offering a glimpse into the evolution of Polish football. It’s a lesson in how to honor the past while embracing the future, and it left me deeply inspired.
The stadium also exemplifies inclusivity, being fully accessible to people with disabilities. It was heartening to learn that all fans, regardless of physical ability, can enjoy the electrifying atmosphere of a match.
As a journalist, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to explore the press facilities.
As we explored the broadcast rooms, my fellow journalist Dennis Beru and I couldn’t help but showcase our football commentary skills.
For my fellow journalists Ruth Keah and Mercy Tyra, this was their first visit to an international stadium, and it was thrilling to see their amazement as we toured the players’ back areas—the sauna, the locker rooms, museum and more.
The tour to Legia Stadion wasn’t just a personal milestone; it was a journey that underscored the unifying power of football. It reminded me that, no matter where you come from, the love of the game can bridge cultures, inspire dreams, and create lasting memories.
As a team manager for FC Creative Hands back home, my visit to Legia Stadion ignited a powerful dream: to one day build a stadium of similar caliber for my team.
“This wasn’t just a tour—it was a vision of what football could be for my community”.
