Lambertseter Kings

Haidar Almahmoud came to Norway as a refugee from conflict and war in Syria in December 2014. In 2021, he attended the leadership training at the King Institute where he was inspired to dream («I have a dream») in relation to his own life and how he could contribute in the society.

As a passionate footballer and football enthusiast, he began to dream of creating a football team for boys from the same background as himself. Haidar came to Norway as a refugee from conflict and war in Syria in December 2014. He recruited a team of players – all from Syria (17-25) – and played football on pitches all around. After a while, he realized that the whole dream had not come true, because he dreamed of playing «real» matches with «real» kits. Together with the King Institute, Bydel St. Hanshaugen, DNT and Lambertseter Football Club, the dream was fully realized in November 2021. The team is today called Lambertseter Kings and is an integral part of the football club’s top level and plays weekly matches in the 9th division. The attendance is so great that the team has become two teams and players from Lambertseter Kings also contribute to the first team, some of the players have become coaches in the club and referees in the league game in younger classes.

Haidar Almahmoud (21) on the training field at summer camp. Moodi and Issa can be seen in the background.

Haidar is now employed as an intern at the King Institute, where he works with the team, but also with other exciting projects. Haidar’s story is an example of how daring to dream can open new paths in life for oneself and for others.

Interview about the King Institute and Lambertseter Kings with Thomas Dorg and Haidar Almahmoud in the program «Hovedkontoret» on TVL, autumn 2023. Hosts are Anette Løken Jahr and Rune Bratseth.
Portrait interview with two of the players on the team, Imam and Mostafa. We also get to know the head coach, Espen. The video is made by Save the Children in connection with a national school campaign.

MENTIONS OF LAMBERTSETER KINGS

P3-AKSJONEN

The NRK P3-AKSJONEN has interviewed the guys on the training field in connection with the TV action. Haidar, Mustafa and Samer are interviewed together with trainer Espen.

Read more

MENTIONS OF LAMBERTSETER KINGS

REDD BARNA MAGAZINE

In the Redd Barna magazine you can read about the journey of Haidar, Moodi and Imam, and how football and unity have been important to them in the integration process in Norway.

Read more

LAMBERTSETER sports association website

Here you can read more about how the Lambertseter King’s project is now part of a close collaboration between the King Institute and the sports association in the work to create inclusion and diversity.

Read more

For those interested in following the team:

Follow the Lambertseter Kings teams at fotball.no. In addition, you can follow our players on our own team page:

Read more

The team is a collaborative project between the King Institute and Lambertseter Sports Association. Espen Dorg is the team’s head coach.

In the first two years, the team has received support from the following partners:

Thank you for your cooperation!