Kenya has officially joined Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and South Africa as part of the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF), which boasts 84 member nations. Team captain Mburu acknowledges that the journey ahead will be challenging. “We must now reach IIHF standards, and that is where our work is cut out,” he stated.
The Ice Lions have navigated numerous obstacles to establish ice hockey in East Africa, a region where the sport remains largely unknown. The team was founded by American and Canadian expatriates who initiated a recruitment effort to develop local interest in ice hockey.
Due to the popularity of roller hockey, many new players have initially been identified through their skating skills with wheeled skates instead of traditional blades. Coach Tim Colby, who has been with the Ice Lions since their inception, credits the team’s dedication and passion for the sport as key drivers for their progress.
“Playing ice hockey at the equator presents unique challenges,” Colby remarked. “The biggest hurdle is ice time. Access to ice is quite expensive.” A single hour of rink time at a local facility costs nearly $100, limiting the team to weekly training sessions.
Additionally, the Ice Lions practice in a rink that is only one-quarter the size of a standard Olympic venue, which restricts them to four-on-four matches, including goaltenders. Full games, consisting of six players on each side, require a goaltender, two defenders, and three forwards.
Colby also highlighted difficulties in acquiring adequate protective gear for the team. “We need a lot of specialized equipment, which is mostly available in Europe and North America,” he explained. Initially, many players used only shin pads, lacking essential protection like helmets. Furthermore, it may take several months to replace hockey sticks, adding to the team’s challenges as they strive to elevate their game on the international stage.
