Life’s always better with sport
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Zdeněk Hampl was born on July 12, 1931, in the town of Hradec Králové. His father, Stanislav, set up his own business in metal processing during the era of the First Republic. Before World War II, his already owned a big warehouse in Hradec Králové and employed many workers. Zdeněk experienced a happy childhood and spent his free time doing sport in the Sokol association (the Czech equivalent of the Scout – note by the translator). His favorite sport in Sokol was basketball. In 1944, Zdeněk’s mother, being a Jew from a mixed marriage, had to board a transport to Theresienstadt. Zdeněk’s brother was also soon taken away to a labor camp for ‘cross-breeds’. Luckily, both of them returned home safe and sound in 1945. However, in 1950, Zdeněk’s father was sentenced by the Communist party to 20 years in prison for treason. Zdeněk managed to graduate from secondary school at the last moment, but was unable to continue his studies. In 1952, the communists confiscated his family’s apartment and Zdeněk had to join the army. He served at the auxiliary technical battalion. After 26 months of working in construction he was finally released. When he returned home from the army he started to work in a city construction company, and because of his diligence, he became the head of a fitting center. A new apprentice center was established as a part of the company in 1965, and Zdeněk started to work there as a supervisor. In his free time, he played professional basketball, initially as a player and referee, later as a trainer of a women’s team. His greatest achievement as a trainer was the participation of his team in the League Championship. In 1982, Zdeněk got the job of deputy director at a secondary vocational school. After retiring from work in the beginning of the 1990s, his hobby of training kept him busy. He has written a book called, “Chapters from the history of basketball in Hradec Králové.”
