Ice Hockey: 49 Kenyan youngsters hit the ice for one-week skills training

A player takes part in game situation during training. [Kelly Ayodi, File]

Forty-nine youngsters from across Nairobi and its environs have completed a rigorous one-week ice hockey training at the scenic Panari Ice Rink in Nairobi.

The high-profile exercises were conducted by Kenyan coaches led by Kenya Ice Lions forward Mike Carlos Otieno, who is fresh from high-level coaching in South Korea.

The holiday training dubbed 'Tufurahie Ice Hockey Camp' that was supported by the  International Ice Hockey Federation (IIHF) and the Kenya Federation of Ice Sports (KEFIS) through the Grow The Game Fund (GGF) attracted players aged between four and 17.

" During the one-week intense training, I sharpened my skills in puck control, shooting, turns and transitions, passes, defending, skating and scoring techniques," Zuena Kasindi, 16, from Kisumu Ndogo area in Korogocho slums told Standard Sports.

The Kariobangi North Girls Secondary School Grade 10 utility player says the camp has motivated her to look towards playing professional stints in Canada, which she believes the ice hockey league is of high standards.

"I want to be like coach Mike; I love the way he is so passionate about the game. He is not only adding value to the sport in Kenya, but is also acting as a role model to us young people who are growing in the sport," said Kasindi, who hopes to feature for national team Kenya Ice Lionesses when she grows up.

Her sentiments were echoed by  Erick Musembi, 17, who hails from South B.

The Grade 10 pupil at Kamkunji Secondary School indicated that the youth camp at Panari helped him to perfect his breaks, crossovers, turns and speed control.

Coach Mike Carlos Otieno takes the youngsters through paces at the Panari Ice Rink bootcamp. [Kelly Ayodi, File]

"I learnt not only to be a hardworking player on the ice rink, but to be resilient in the sport," Musembi noted.

" I took up ice hockey instead of football because this is a rare game in Kenya that can easily take someone places very fast.

"Also Mike is my role model, I want to achieve everything he has attained in the sport.

" I would one day love to play professional ice hockey in Canada," added Musembi who practices the sport religiously every weekend at the Nairobi Skating Park with his Skating Ninjas teammates.

KEFIS Vice President Ali Said Kilanga hailed the federation, IIHF and the GGF for coming onboard to sponsor the crucial camp for the youngsters.

" The training kept the children busy during the school holidays, it also took our game to the next level.

"We are glad that it was run professionally by our very own tacticians led by  Otieno who is also fresh from a high level training in South Korea," Kilanga said.

Otieno said he took the youngsters through paces in skating skills, pick movements, passes, shooting, crossovers, back skating, transitions, breaking, defending, off ice workouts and game situations which were held at the weekend.

" In the game situation, the players played 5 versus 5 and 4 versus 4 techniques. Here, we looked for application of techniques like passes, heads up, communication skills and scoring tactics," Otieno said.

Otieno said the camp was important in passing on the crucial knowledge and skills he came with from South Korea.

"I was really impressed with the players, they learn very fast, they are also disciplined and very punctual every day.

"I also like the fact that the game is growing very fast by the rate at which Kenyans are embracing the sport," Otieno said.