Ice Stock: Dawn of a New Winter Sport in Uganda

The Uganda Ice Stock inaugural clinic took place at Makerere University, Kampala last week.

Ice Stock Sport also known as Bavarian Curling, is a winter sport, almost similar to curling. In German, it is known as Eisstockschießen.

Competitors slide ice stocks over an ice surface, aiming for a target, or to cover the longest distance.

Ice stocks have a gliding surface, to which a stick (approximately 30 cm) is attached.

The Sport is mainly played in Southern Germany, Austria and Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol in Italy.

It has been demonstrated at the Winter Olympic Games on two occasions. Although the sport is traditionally played on an ice surface, it can also be held on tarmac in summer.

The Theme was for its inauguration clinic was: “Ice StockSport Skills and Techniques For All.”

The event attracted over 40 participants from various parts of Uganda who pioneered the introduction of the Sport.

Instructors from Kenya who took the participants through different sessions, were led by the President of Ice Stock Sport Federation Africa as well as the President of Kenya Ice Stock Tim Ngugi and University of Nairobi, Don Dr. Simon Munayi.

Uganda will become the 6th African Nation, upon registration with the International Federation of IceStock, to play Ice Stock alongside Kenya, Namibia, Gabon, Tunisia, and Egypt.

Participants during the Ice Stock clinic at Makerere Pool Court

Although the sport is supposed to be played on Ice, improvision is done and it’s played on a leveled tarmacked ground.

The newly introduced Ice Stock Sport Uganda is headed by the elected 11 member Interim Executive Committe, led by the new President Shifah Mujjuzi and Patron Ms. Peninah Kabenge, is looking at having the game registered under Uganda Olympic Committe and National Council of Sports.

Uganda is now looking at making a debut in the upcoming Ice Stock World Championships in Italy in February, 2022 and fielding a strong established team in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy where Ice Stock will join the sports played in Olympics.


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