In the heart of Nairobi, where temperatures rarely dip below 20C, the Panari Hotel hosts the sole ice rink in East and Central Africa—a training ground for the Kenya Ice Lions. Captain Benjamin Mburu recalls stepping onto the ice for the first time, an "out of this world" experience that brought excitement and challenges. "You see snow and ice on Christmas movies, but not here in Kenya," he remarked.
The Ice Lions emerged from a group of expatriates passionate about bringing ice hockey to Kenya. They first formed a team by encouraging skating enthusiasts who played roller hockey. With limited resources and high costs—nearly $100 for just one hour of ice time—the team realizes the magnitude of the challenges they face.
Despite these obstacles, the Ice Lions are determined to achieve IIHF standards and extend their reach. Their passion led them to gain attention from international brands, resulting in opportunities to compete abroad, like a transformative experience in Canada where they met NHL stars and garnered sponsorships. This newfound visibility enables the team to grow, both in skill and numbers, winning an exhibition tournament in South Africa that showcased their capabilities.
Looking towards the future, the Ice Lions engage in community initiatives, offering coaching sessions for youngsters every weekend. Liam Pashari, a hopeful young player, expressed his love for the sport, "When you're playing on the ice, you just forget about everything else." Plans are in place to also establish a women's team, further pushing the sport's reach in the region.
Members of the Ice Lions remain steadfast in their pursuit of higher aspirations, including representation in the Winter Olympics. As winger Mike Carlos states, "The Kenyan flag must fly on ice." They aim to overcome skepticism and prove that ice hockey is indeed a reality for Kenyans, signaling the promising growth of this unique sport in Kenya.
The Ice Lions emerged from a group of expatriates passionate about bringing ice hockey to Kenya. They first formed a team by encouraging skating enthusiasts who played roller hockey. With limited resources and high costs—nearly $100 for just one hour of ice time—the team realizes the magnitude of the challenges they face.
Despite these obstacles, the Ice Lions are determined to achieve IIHF standards and extend their reach. Their passion led them to gain attention from international brands, resulting in opportunities to compete abroad, like a transformative experience in Canada where they met NHL stars and garnered sponsorships. This newfound visibility enables the team to grow, both in skill and numbers, winning an exhibition tournament in South Africa that showcased their capabilities.
Looking towards the future, the Ice Lions engage in community initiatives, offering coaching sessions for youngsters every weekend. Liam Pashari, a hopeful young player, expressed his love for the sport, "When you're playing on the ice, you just forget about everything else." Plans are in place to also establish a women's team, further pushing the sport's reach in the region.
Members of the Ice Lions remain steadfast in their pursuit of higher aspirations, including representation in the Winter Olympics. As winger Mike Carlos states, "The Kenyan flag must fly on ice." They aim to overcome skepticism and prove that ice hockey is indeed a reality for Kenyans, signaling the promising growth of this unique sport in Kenya.
