Kenya Ice Lions: The Rise of Hockey in East Africa

Kenya joined Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and South Africa among the IIHF’s 84-member African cohort, but captain Mburu says the next step will be the toughest yet.

“Now we have to meet the IIHF standards, and that’s where our work gets cut,” he explained.

But this is a team that has already faced many challenges, and last but not least, it has proven itself in a sport that is practically unheard of in East Africa.

The Ice Lions were founded by a group of expatriates from the United States and Canada who organized recruitment.

As roller hockey became more accessible and popular in Kenya, many new participants were put on skates with wheels rather than blades.

Tim Colby, who has coached the Ice Lions since their inception, says a love of the sport and dedication has gotten the team this far.

“It’s not easy to play hockey at the equator,” the Canadian told the BBC.

“The biggest problem is ice time. Access to ice is expensive.”

Just one hour on the ice rink at the Panari Hotel costs almost $100.

These high figures mean that the team can usually only train once a week.

Their home is also one-quarter the size of an Olympic rink, so the Ice Lions are limited to four-on-four (including goalies).

Full games are six per side and require a goalkeeper, two defenders and three forwards.

Colby adds that getting enough protection for the team is proving difficult.

“We need a lot of specialized equipment that is only available in Europe and North America,” he said.

For the first few years, many players wore only shin pads, eschewing equipment such as helmets.

Replacing hockey sticks could also take months.