Tributes to Owls legend Zem, 59

Zbigniew Micek

THE driving force of one of the country’s most successful disabled sports clubs has died after a short illness.

Zbigniew “Zem” Micek — described as a true champion of disabled sports — had been instrumental in Oldham Owls since 1974.

The 59-year-old is understood to have complained of feeling unwell last Friday and was later admitted to the Royal Oldham Hospital where he died on Wednesday.

Zem, who had curvature of the spine and problems with his legs, was a keen basketball player.

He got involved with Oldham Owls shortly after it was set up in 1974 by David Foden and Peter Haslem to integrate disabled people into society through sport and recreation.

It became one of the most successful disabled sports clubs ever seen, with members competing at all levels including the Paralympic Games

Zem and David won a Pride in Oldham Award in 2003 and Zem was still heavily involved in the club as a coach, secretary and treasurer, as well as coaching the under 15s North-West basketball team.

He was recently interviewed by the Chronicle in the run up to the 10th anniversary of the awards and said: “I still enjoy it, especially working with the children. Teaching the kids gives you a good feeling that you don’t get with the adults.

“It’s nice to see other people taking up sports and doing well. It’s great to encourage them and help them to go as far as they can.”

Zem, who leaves a sister, was involved in disabled sports across the country and was a member of the management committee of the Great Britain Wheelchair Basketball Association.

Oldham Owls chairman Stuart Harrison said: “He was the driving light of the Owls for many, many years.

“Without Zem the Oldham Owls would have actually folded quite a long time ago.

“He is going to leave such a hole within the Owls.”

Moving tributes have also been left on the social networking site Facebook and one friend said: “The Owls will never feel the same but we must carry on in his memory.

“It’s what Zem would have wanted.”