Hockey is routed in many Canadians’ DNA and is a large part of the sports culture. However, the Kenya Ice Lions do not have the same opportunities compared to other hockey organizations. The Ice Lions are the only hockey team located in Kenya and due to the lack of popularity compared to other sports in the country, the Ice Lions do not have the numbers to scrimmage against other players.
Despite not having another team to practice against, the Kenya Lions lace up their skates twice a week at the Panari Sky Center Hotel located in Kenyan capital Nairobi.
Tim Hortons, a coffee and donut chain, discovered the Ice Lions story and decided they wanted to fly the 12 Kenyan players to Canada. One of the most special places with deep hockey roots. In addition to the trip, the players would be greeted with custom jerseys and other high quality hockey gear.
The Ice Lions made the journey to Canada in August and alongside side their new gear were additional surprises in store. Hockey stars Sidney Crosby and Nathan MacKinnon joined the Ice Lions in the rink for a scrimmage. This was the first time that the Ice Lions have ever competed against another team. One player even mentioned it was his first time putting on properly fitted pads. Tim Hortons also wanted the Ice Lions to get a feel for the hockey atmosphere in Canada so they took a tour of Toronto with pit-stops at the Hockey Hall of Fame and the Stanley Cup.
“When we first started playing in Kenya, we didn’t even have full equipment, but now not only do we have that, we can say we’ve played a real game with some All-Star teammates.” -Benard Azegere, captain of the Kenya Ice Lions
Canadian advertising agency Zulu Alpha Kilo created a video, titled The Away Game, that displayed how Tim Hortons generosity greatly impacted the Ice Lions. The video shows the pure excitement of the hockey players and you can tell how ecstatic they are to be in Canada. Many of the Ice Lions players have a dream that ice hockey will gain popularity in Kenya and one day they will be able to have an ice rink and an adequate amount of players to create a league.
In order to help the Ice Lions continue to build a legacy of hockey players, Tim Hortons made a donation to Kenya’s Youth Hockey League with high hopes that players will continue to be produced out of Kenya.
The Ice Lions love for the game is unmeasurable and is a great example of how sports can bring people from across the world together. The Canadian and Kenyan hockey players come from completely different backgrounds but they share one thing in common: a love for hockey.