Pomp and color as APS Bomet are crowned 2021-2022 National Super league champion

APS Bomet Captain Odhiambo receives NSL trophy alongside Bomet County Commissioner Beverly Opwora from FKF Transition committee league and competition chairman Ali Amour. Photo by gilbert Kimutai/standard

APS Bomet FC have been crowned the 2021-2022 National Super league champion by the FKF Transition Committee.

In an elaborate event at Bomet IAAF Stadium, FKF Transition Committee Chairman in charge of League and Competition Ali Amour awarded APS the Trophy and a Sh1 million Cheque after topping the league with 71 points from 36 matches.

APS also won promotion to Kenya Premier League alongside Fortune Sacco who came second in the league after collecting 69 points.

APS Bomet FC wrote history to become the first team from Bomet County to play in the Kenya Premier League.

It becomes the third team from the South Rift region to qualify for the national league after Brooke Bond FC and Zoo Kericho FC.

Kericho-based Brooke bond FC joined the league in 1999 after winning the Western zone national super league and dropped out of the league three years later due to financial constraints which saw them forced out for failing to honour matches.

Zoo Kericho FC was the second team to join the top flight league in 2017 and their stay in the league was short-lived after a ban was imposed on them.

The global football regulator FIFA ordered the expulsion of Zoo FC from the 2020/21Kenya Premier League season after finding them responsible for what they referred to as “match manipulation”.

FIFA also ordered the club to be relegated to the FKF Division One league for the next season.

APS Bomet wrapped their league win with a one-all draw against Muranga Seal in an entertaining match watched by hundreds of supporters.

APS Prolific striker Dennis Cheruiyot opened the score sheet in the 8th minute after he headed home a left flank cross from Eric Sinje.

The visitors equalized late in the game through Wilson Kamau after a thunderous shot from the 81st minute.

The crowning ceremony was witnessed by Administration Police Senior Assistant Inspector general Abdullahi Adan, who represented Deputy Inspector General Noor Gaboow, Bomet County commissioner Beverly Opwora and officials of the FKF caretaker committee.

Adan, who was behind the formation of the APS Bomet team could not hide his joy saying the promotion was well deserved saying the team displayed good play throughout the season.

He said the team which comprised civilians has met its target of community policing.

“The success is an indication of what the government and members of the public cooperation can achieve,” he said

Opwora said the historic victory is an indication that the public can work with the police officers and achieve a common goal.

“Most of the fans for this time were civilians and this shows the two groups can work closely and ensure the challenges affecting the society are overcome. This has also demonstrated that sports can be used to improve the lives of many people,” said the county commissioner.

League and Competition chair in the Caretaker Committee, Ali Amour challenged the local government to ensure they put good standards in the stadium so that the KPL matches can be hosted in the county.

“By making sure the stadium is in the right standards, it will improve the economy of the county because people from across the country will be here especially when matches are played at home,” he said.

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