African nation looks to expand its winter sports horizons by sending team to Milan-Cortina Games

NAIROBI－A revered athletics powerhouse at the Summer Olympics, Kenya has only ever seen two of its nationals competing at the Winter Games.

But a motley crew of Kenyans in the country's newly formed national curling team are hoping against the odds to qualify for the 2026 extravaganza in Italy.

They have plenty of hurdles to overcome to realize their dream－not least the lack of ice in the equatorial East African country.

Team members have been forced to improvise, sweeping the curling stones along a gymnasium floor after the country's only ice rink was closed down because of the coronavirus pandemic.

"It's a long shot but being only the second African country to play curling may give us a chance of qualifying to the 2026 Winter Olympics," said Kenya Curling Federation President Laventer Oguta.

"But all this will depend on our preparations and support from the government."

Kenya officially registered with the World Curling Federation in February 2021, becoming only the second African member after Nigeria.

WCF President Kate Caithness described it at the time as a "big achievement for Kenya and Africa "and added "this is going to motivate more African members".