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Kenya is training its first ever national ice hockey team, hoping to qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The team of 16 men are training at Nairobi’s Panari Hotel, the only ice rink in the country, using donated equipment from traditional ice hockey powers. While several tropical nations have competed in the Winter Olympics, none have ever won a medal. Kenyans have already participated in the Winter Olympics, with former middle distance runner Philip Boit representing the country in cross-country skiing from 1998 to 2006, and alpine skier Sabrina Simader competing in 2018.
Even casual spectators of the Olympic Games know that Kenyan athletes often excel in long-distance running events that require endurance, personal dedication and competitive intensity. But could they duplicate those feats on ice? Sixteen men are training at Nairobi’s Panari Hotel, which has the only ice rink in the country (and in all of East and Central Africa, for that matter). They are working hard to form the first ever Kenya national ice hockey team and hope to qualify for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, China. Using mostly equipment donated by teams from traditional ice hockey powers like Canada and Russia, Kenyan athletes are working towards achieving their Olympic dream. “Six years ago, people laughed at us,” said team captain Benard Azegere. “We believe in ourselves. We can get there.”
A new milestone for Kenyan athletes:
Several nations with tropical climates have competed in the Winter Olympics, but none have ever won a medal. The first to compete were the Philippines, which sent two alpine skiers to the 1972 Sapporo Games.
In 1988, a large number of tropical nations sent athletes to the Games, including the memorable Jamaican bobsleigh team of Cool Runnings fame. In 2006 and 2010, Jamaican bobsleigh Lascelles Brown won silver and bronze medals, respectively, while representing Canada.
Kenyans have already participated in the Winter Olympics. From 1998 to 2006, former middle distance runner Philip Boit represented his country in cross-country skiing. And in 2018, Kenya’s first female Winter Olympian, alpine skier Sabrina Simader, competed in the women’s giant slalom and super-G events.
