From a global perspective, the game of hockey has a long way to catch the likes of soccer and basketball.
Besides the hurdles of expensive equipment, high registration fees and logistical factors that can prevent the average person from playing the sport, hockey requires ice first and foremost to play, unless we're talking roller or ball hockey of course.
Some countries around the world have only ever heard of the sport played on frozen water, which might even sound like a fictitious one depending on where one is located in the world.
Kenya by no means is a hockey-crazed country, but you'd be surprised just how popular the sport is located in the Eastern region of Africa just off the Indian Ocean. YouTuber Alex Frecon headed over to the country to get a first-hand glimpse of the official Kenyan National Team -- the Kenya Ice Lions.
Along with the Howe International Friendship League, Alex documented his time spent over in the city of Nairobi from December 7-16. You may remember the team was featured in a Tim Hortons commercial with Sidney Crosby where they were decked out in brand new CCM gear.
How awesome is that rink?
Frecon has documented his time in non-traditional hockey countries, as he took a GoPro camera, sticks, skates and the rest of his equipment to North Korea for a friendly pick-up game against the North Korean National Team back in 2017.
In a time where there are no games on television, it's great to see the joy and solidarity we get from sports, especially hockey.
Major props to storytellers like Alex who show the world our beautiful game and help grow it oversees. If you'd like to support hockey in Kenya, have a look at the links below to see how you can get involved!
Buy a Kenya Ice Lions Hockey Jersey
Hockey in Kenya is a real thing. You can play too.
