STANDING OVATION: Time to cheer premier league hockey champs Telkom Orange and Strathmore

Captain Orange Telecom Tracy Karanja (centre) lead her team mates to receive the 2016 Champion's Ladie's KPL Hockey Trophy at City Park Stadium onSunday, Dec 4, 2016. [PHOTO: JONAH ONYANGO/STANDARD]

Crowning of champions in their respective leagues marked the end of this year's Kenya Hockey Union 2016 season on Sunday afternoon at City Park.

Strathmore University's Gladiators were crowned men’s Premier League champions after edging out last season’s winners, Butali Sugar Warriors, 3-0 in a penalty shootout. The match ended 1-1 after regular time.

It was business unusual as Strathmore, who had last won the crown in 2009, ended the dominance of Butali and Kenya Police.

The students defeated both teams in their campaign. The Gladiators first eliminated Kenya Police in the semi-finals, before walking away winners against Butali in the final.

In both matches, they won through post-match penalties. Police finished third, while Greensharks were fourth after losing 3-4 to the law enforcers in third-place playoffs.

Bay Club and Western Jaguars were relegated to the lower division. Theirs had been a rough ride.

They will pave way for National League champions Technical University of Kenya (TUK), while runner-up Wazalendo Youth have declined promotion to the top tier.

TUK also won the most promising team award for their excellent performance.

In the women’s Premier League, Telkom Orange retained their title, while Strathmore Scorpions finished second. Newcomers Amira Sailors finished third. Sliders, who finished second in last year's campaign, finished fifth, behind United States International University of Africa (USIU-A).

The women’s league was also a tightly fought affair and unlike with past seasons, where Telkom Orange had it easy, things were different this time. They were made to fight for the title.

Debutants Amira also added more spice in the women’s league.

Multimedia University (MMU), who finished third in the national league, were voted the most disciplined team. MMU’s Moses Ademba was named the most improved player, same as Kevin Omondi of Police (men’s premier) and Rhoda Nyambura of USIU-A women’s league.

Willis Okeyo of Police (nine goals), Jackline Mwangi of Orange (15) and James Mwangi of Wazalendo Youth (nine) won the top scorers prizes.

Ademba bagged a double after he won men’s player of the year award, while Scorpions' captain Yvonne Karanja took the women’s honours.

Focus now shifts to next year's Africa Cup of Club Championships to be held in Nairobi. All eyes will be on Butali and Kenya Police, who will be challenging for the men’s trophy, while defending champions Telkom Orange and Sliders will compete in the women’s category.