Kenya Ice Lions: The rise of ice hockey in East Africa

Kenya has joined Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia and South Africa among the 84-member African group in the IIHF, but captain Mburu says the next one will be tough.

“Now we have to reach the IIHF standards, and that’s where our work is cut out [out],” he explained.

But this is a team that has faced many challenges, especially settling in a game that has never been heard in East Africa.

Ice Lions was started by a group of people from the United States and Canada, who started a recruitment process.

Since roller hockey is so readily available and popular in Kenya, many new members are seen wearing skates with wheels instead of blades.

Tim Colby, who has coached the Ice Lions since its inception, said passion and dedication have brought the team to this point.

“Playing ice hockey on the equator is not easy,” the Canadian told the BBC.

“The biggest problem is ice time. Getting ice is expensive.”

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

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

Their home field is a quarter the size of an Olympic rink, so the Ice Lions only play four or four games (including goals).

A full game is six on each side and requires players, two defenders and three referees.

Colby adds that getting enough defensive equipment for the team is difficult.

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

For the first few years most players only wear shin pads, leaving behind equipment such as helmets.

Changing hockey sticks can also take several months.