Breaking the Ice: Kenya's Ice Hockey Pioneers Carve a Path for the Future
© Photo Kenya Ice Lions
Subscribe
Ice hockey in Kenya might sound improbable, but for the Kenya Ice Lions, the country’s first and only ice hockey team, the sport is more than just a game—it’s a movement. From overcoming stereotypes to achieving historic victories, the Ice Lions are proving that the sport has a place in Africa.
In an interview with Sputnik Africa, Carol Joseph, a senior female player on the team, remembered the moment she first saw ice hockey being played in Kenya.
"We didn't have any female players playing. And it is something that I wanted to try and see if I can pursue," she recalled.
Now, she plays not just for herself, but to inspire future generations of female athletes in Kenya.
Despite the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated sport, Joseph remains steadfast.
"I need to prove to them that even women can do it," she said, determined to break barriers and pave the way for a fully-fledged women’s hockey team in the country.
Her dream extends beyond Kenya, envisioning a future where African women’s teams compete on the international stage.
"I will be able to pave the way for most women because my biggest goal and my biggest dream is to have a full national Kenyan team here in Kenya and maybe in Africa," Joseph said.
For Robert Opiyo, chairman and senior player of the Ice Lions, the journey began with an unexpected opportunity—the establishment of Kenya’s first ice rink at Panari Hotel in Nairobi.
"A couple of people just saw the ice rink and they saw there's an opportunity for playing ice hockey as a sport, like a recreational thing rather than just ice skating," he explained.
That small idea soon transformed into the formation of the Ice Lions, a team that is now making headlines beyond Kenyan borders.
The team achieved a historic milestone in September 2024 when they gained associate membership with the International Ice Hockey Federation.
"Being associate members, that means it's like one foot in the door. And it's also a way that we're being pushed that we need to step up our game," said Opiyo.
This recognition has given the team a boost as they continue to work toward international competitiveness.
One of the biggest moments for the Ice Lions came this January, when they won their first-ever tournament title.
"It was actually, it was a moment of tearing, but victory tears," said Joseph. "Because we were really crossing our fingers to win that game. And it felt that we can do anything we can put ourselves into."
Trevor Mwangi, another Ice Lions player, is optimistic about the team’s future.
"The future is bright for the Kenya Ice Lions. We're going to take it so far," he reckoned.
While he aims to continue contributing to the team on and off the ice, he hopes that one day, Kenya’s ice hockey scene will be as recognized as football.
"Most people don't even know we have ice hockey in Kenya. And when you tell people you play it, people don't believe you until they see you play it," he noted.
Looking ahead, the Ice Lions are setting their sights on the African Nations Cup of Ice Hockey in June.
"On the player side, the players are putting in the effort to make sure that they're well prepared to represent," Opiyo noted, while also acknowledging the financial and logistical challenges the team faces.
Despite these hurdles, the Ice Lions remain committed to growing the sport in Kenya and beyond. With support from international partnerships and platforms like Sputnik Africa amplifying their story, the dream of seeing Kenyan and African players in professional ice hockey leagues around the world is becoming more attainable.
"Dreams can come true. But for a dream to come true, it has to come with the work," Opiyo concluded.
