– Can I make any kind of difference I want to feel that I at least have tried to do it. Many times it’s just about giving these kids a chance, there is the possibility that they may not have received in the past.
Outside the ice rink in Tumba is a thin snow cover.
It is a cold January day in and, for once, Mika at home in Stockholm.
“It’s probably the first time in seven, eight years that I am at home in a season,” says Mika Zibanejad, who started his NHL career in Ottawa but who now plays in the New York Rangers.
And even if it is cold here, it is fantastic fun that it was possible to solve, he continues with a smile.
Mika Zibanejad thrives best when he gets to be out on the ice. Photo: Jonas Lindkvist
two reasons to return home, which became possible thanks to the NHL’s All-Star break. One was that his brother – who is also his agent – Monir Kalgoum turned 35 years old on Wednesday.
The other was that Mika started a collaboration with the organization of Sports Heart, which organizes sports camps for children and young people.
As a starting point for the project met Micah and his brother Monir earlier in the week, Malin and Chris Härenstam who started the camp.
“I have for a long time wanted to organize some kind of camp, but it hasn’t really been time, and, in particular, had we not found the form of how we wanted to do it,” says Mika.
– When this popped up it felt therefore right. Malin and Chris have done a fantastic job when they have built it up here. We have the same values and shares the vision of all shall be, ” he continues.
, which takes place in the ice rink in Tumba, sweden, is a bunch of young hockey players who get the tips and advice of Mika during the hefty half-hour they spend together on the ice.
Afterwards would, of course, all the boys and girls have at least one picture taken with the 25-year-old world champion, and Mika gives every one of the small knattarna the time needed.
– It is well the least I can do, ” he says, and looks somewhat surprised that I comment on it.
Mika Zibanejad has long been looking for a way to give more children the opportunity to try hockey. Now he has found it. Mika will engage in Sports Heart. Photo: Jonas Lindkvist
Mika Zibanejad is the decision to engage in Sports Heart, along with his brother, whose agentfirma will also support the camp, not a way to Polish their own brand.
For him it is a cause and a dream, which he for a long time have sought ways to implement.
the commitment is to be found in his own background. With an iranian father and a Finnish mother, he is not growing up in a traditional hockeymiljö, and he knows how it is when you have to struggle extra hard for something you want.
“When I started playing there were not many players who had my background,” he says.
Dad was actually a little mind that I would keep on with the hockey. It meant many hours in the ishallskafeterior for his part. In addition, it was expensive with all the equipment and such. But both of my parents worked hard to give me the opportunity when they understood how important this was for me.
Hockey has had a hard time attracting children with a migrant background, and where hope Mika Zibanejad able to be with and make a difference.
” Hopefully we can at least get more people to become interested and want to try hockey. And then, if they don’t like it is one thing – you can never force someone – but then they themselves got to make that choice.
And then we will once again return to what is important for me, sport should be for everyone and everyone should feel that they have the ability to freely choose.
in the decided Mika Zibanejad to give away their guldbonus of 150,000 sek from this spring’s world CHAMPIONSHIPS in Copenhagen.
His brother Monir contributed an equal amount, and in the last week, it became clear that the money is going to five different girls ‘ teams in the Stockholm area.
” the Girls are often not offered the same opportunities as boys, and the reason tends to be that there is a lack of resources. So it felt right to do it in this way. Often girls bortprioriterade and now I had the opportunity to do something about it.
Mika’s face splits into a smile:
” Because I love hockey so much, I want to clear as many as possible should get the chance to try it and find that it is as much fun as I do. Actually it is not more difficult than that.
founded five years ago by Malin Härenstam and her husband SVT commentator Chris Härenstam.
– When Chris and I had our first child there was someone who said to us ”the finest gift you can give your children is to be in a sports club. It becomes like a second family”. The gift we want to try to spread to several by helping to create joy to the sport, ” says Malin Härenstam.
During the first year was Sports Heart only a fotbollscamp, but since then it has grown at a fast pace.
currently, there are 14 different sports included, and around 400 children will be with only on the hockeyinriktningen at this year’s camp which will be held in August.
and with The commitment will hockeydelen to change its name to Sports Heart Zibanejad Hockey Camp.
of Course, everyone wanted to take the opportunity to get at least a picture taken together with NHL star Mika Zibanejad. Photo: Jonas Lindkvist
will work out their ispass of the three ice rinks in the Botkyrka municipality, including Ishuset in Tumba, sweden, and in the ice rink in Värmdö municipality, where other sports at the camp.
During the camp will Mika make hockeydeltagarna company on the ice.
the Brothers Mika and Monir has also decided to set up two grants worth 25.000 sek. A will go to the ”Year hockeymamma” and ”the enthusiast”.
Anyone can nominate their candidates, and in march and april will be the official who assigned them.
in Addition, scholarships will be awarded to some children who otherwise would not have been able to afford to be with at camp.
” Especially, ”the Year hockeymamma” is both me and Mika’s heart. Our mother has supported us very much, and to be able to lift up the mothers ‘role feels good,” says Monir Kalgoum.
