FILE PHOTO: The Kenya national ice hockey team poses for a group photo after a friendly tournament against the Chicago Cheetah team of the United States at the Panari Skating Rink in Nairobi, Kenya, January 7, 2023. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi
KIKUYU, Kenya — Kenya may have only one ice rink and no coach by its side, but that hasn’t stopped 28-year-old Benjamin Mburu from pursuing his dreams of ice hockey glory.
His team, the Kenyan Ice Lions, hone their skills at the Panari Hotel in Nairobi.
When they can’t get inside, they go to the roof and practice rollerblading to make up for the lack of “frozen time”.
As the only party in the country, they often host games between themselves.
Mburu, an architect, from his hometown of Kikuyu, 20 kilometers northwest of Nairobi, said: “One day a few friends of mine invited me to ice hockey and that was the start. the beginning of this wonderful journey.
Ultimately, Mburu hopes Kenya will join the International Ice Hockey Federation.
The ice lions have played friendlies against teams from the United States and Canada.
They watch online tutorials and take lessons from volunteer foreign coaches. Head coach Tim Colby said they crave success.
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