Kenyan Hockey Stars Shine Luminous, Fueled by Global Support
Toronto, ON – The ice at the Black girl Hockey Club (BGHC) Canada camp in Toronto buzzed with more than just the scrape of skates. It was a testament to a shared vision, a bridge built between continents, as three young Kenyan hockey players, the “Ice Lionesses,” joined their North American counterparts. This groundbreaking opportunity, made possible by a confluence of passion and crucial funding, marks a significant step forward for women’s hockey in Kenya.
The journey for nairobi’s Ice Lionesses began with a hopeful message. Carol Tinker, a co-founder of BGHC Canada and a familiar voice as an analyst for PWHL games on CBC, received a social media inquiry from a young Kenyan player, Joseph. “I hope I can come to camp one day,” the message read. Tinker, inspired by the ambition, saw an immediate opportunity. “why not come this year?” she recalled thinking, and with swift action, the ice Lionesses were en route to Toronto.
BGHC Canada’s ability to host and support these aspiring athletes is considerably bolstered by the NHL Foundation Canada. This foundation,dedicated to strengthening communities and enriching lives through hockey,recently awarded grants to five non-profit organizations,including BGHC Canada. “We had just received confirmation that we got the NHL grant,” Tinker explained, “and that allowed us to realize that our bank account is going to continue to keep going up so we can continue to spend money on bringing players here.” This vital funding, Tinker emphasized, is instrumental in enabling programs like this, underscoring the NHL’s commitment to the growth of women’s hockey.
For Ali, Joseph, and Likiza, the Toronto camp was about more than just honing their individual skills.They arrived with a clear objective: to absorb knowledge and gain insights from Tinker and BGHC Canada that would empower them to establish a thriving women’s and girls’ hockey program back in Nairobi, with aspirations of international competition.
Tim Colby, the general manager and coach of the kenya Ice Lions and a Canadian expat in Nairobi, highlighted the comprehensive nature of their learning. “Not only will this help them get the skillset to set up and found a formal women’s team,they’ll also obtain knowledge and ideas around running a foundation,running a team,what you have to do as a mentor and a leader to do that,” Colby stated. He added that this initiative is entirely self-driven by the players themselves.
Kenya’s burgeoning hockey scene received a significant boost on September 26, 2024, when it was granted associate membership into the International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF). This achievement positions Kenya as the fifth IIHF member country on the African continent,joining Algeria,Morocco,Tunisia,and South Africa.
Currently, Kenyan players practice on a unique, square rink within Nairobi’s Panari Hotel, the sole indoor ice facility in East and Central Africa. This rink is approximately one-third the size of a standard NHL rink. Likiza noted that the vast majority of players in Kenya, around 90 percent, are currently boys and men.
“I want to empower girls so that they come to play,” Likiza expressed with determination. “We want them to be like, ‘I want to be like Carol, I want to be like Hana, I want to be like Saroya.'” The presence and success of the Ice Lionesses, supported by global hockey communities, are already inspiring the next generation of female athletes in Kenya.
