New Game, New Opportunities: Floorball Arrives at OYDC Zambia

On Friday, 9 May, 19-year-old Jakob Bleek, a German volunteer under the “weltwärts” programme, officially handed over the first floorball equipment at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC) in Lusaka. His donation, made possible by generous supporters from Germany, marks the launch of floorball in Zambia.

The ceremony was honoured by the presence of Her Excellency Ambassador Anne Wagner-Mitchell, underscoring the strong partnership between Germany and Zambia in youth and sports development. 

“I just saw the boys and girls. They are playing with great enthusiasm and great talent, I think that is absolutely fair to say. [… ] I think this sport has a future in Zambia with these young boys and girls here playing it.” Anne Wagner-Mitchell, Ambassador of Germany to Zambia

Jakob Bleek, who spends his mornings coaching physical education at two primary schools in Lusaka and his afternoons dedicated to his floorball project, delivered 17 sticks, 30 balls, and two sets of German national team jerseys from 2016 on behalf of his donors.

“A lot of skills from Floorball can be used in a hockey game and vice versa. Players will get flexible and open-minded to new tactics, which will ultimately lead to them performing better. […] Moreover, Floorball is a high intensity sport but with a low risk of injury. It is one of the fastest team ballsports in the world. This ball can get as fast as 250 kilometers per hour but will only give you a small bruise if it hits you at that speed.” Jakob Bleek, German sports volunteer

With free access to OYDC’s state-of-the-art facilities, Bleek plans to grow participation from the initial 20 enthusiastic youngsters, create age-grouped training, and organise a summer camp for players and future coaches. Collaboration with Special Olympics Zambia is already underway, aiming to build an inclusive floorball team. To do so, Bleek has launched a fundraising campaign on the GoFundMe platform for the purchase of goals and goalkeeping equipment.

Floorball is an indoor and outdoor sport developed in Scandinavia that is becoming increasingly popular in Africa. The simple equipment consisting of a plastic bat and ball promotes agility, endurance, coordination, and team spirit and gives children and young people low-threshold access to exercise and community.

“This sport may one day enable you to travel the world. So keep at it and give it your all.” Thomas Mumba, Vice President of the Zambian Hockey Association