APS Bomet football team shines in Premier League encounter

APS Bomet FC’s dramatic rise in Kenyan football has continued to capture national attention after the Administration Police Service-backed side edged out KCB FC 1-0 in a tense Football Kenya Federation Premier League clash played before a packed crowd at the Kiprugut Chumo Stadium in Kericho.

The victory, secured through a disciplined and energetic display, marked the club’s fourth consecutive win and further strengthened its hopes of surviving relegation in its debut season in the top flight, a remarkable achievement for a team that only recently earned promotion into the FKF Premier League.

The closely contested encounter attracted senior government officials, football stakeholders and hundreds of supporters from across the South Rift region, underlining the growing profile of APS Bomet FC as one of the emerging forces in Kenyan football.

Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary (CS), Kipchumba Murkomen, who attended the match as the club’s patron, praised the team for its fighting spirit, discipline and consistency, saying the side had demonstrated that institutional teams within the disciplined services can successfully compete at the highest level of Kenyan football.

Murkomen said the steady progress being witnessed at APS Bomet FC reflected the untapped sporting potential within the country’s security agencies, noting that disciplined services have historically played a central role in nurturing athletes and footballers who have gone on to represent Kenya internationally.

“Sports in the disciplined services promote talent development, health and wellbeing, and community relations. The exploits of our officers across all sports disciplines are longstanding and storied,” said Murkomen after the match.

The match itself lived up to expectations as APS Bomet displayed tactical discipline and defensive organization against a seasoned KCB FC side that dominated possession for long periods but struggled to break through the resilient APS backline.

The home supporters erupted midway through the first half after APS Bomet forward Festus Kipkemoi capitalized on a defensive lapse to score the lone goal that ultimately separated the two sides in a fiercely fought contest.

The win sparked celebrations among fans who have increasingly rallied behind the club during its impressive resurgence in recent weeks following a difficult start to the season.

APS Bomet’s recent run of victories has seen the club climb steadily away from the relegation zone, raising optimism among supporters and football analysts who now believe the team has a realistic chance of retaining its premier league status.

In an interview with the Kenya News Agency, Murkomen said the government views sports as an important platform for empowering young people, promoting discipline and strengthening social cohesion across the country.

He noted that teams affiliated with disciplined services such as Kenya Police FC, Ulinzi Stars and prison teams have continued to shape Kenyan football by offering structured talent development systems and stable career opportunities for athletes.

Murkomen observed that sports have increasingly become an important avenue through which security agencies interact positively with communities while also helping identify and nurture talented youth from different parts of the country.

“We are committed to supporting sports because sports unite people, create opportunities for the youth and promote positive engagement between the government and citizens,” he said.

The CS added that APS Bomet’s growth into a competitive premier league side demonstrates the importance of investing in grassroots football structures, training programmes and modern sports facilities.

The match also highlighted the growing significance of Kericho County as an emerging sporting destination following the continued hosting of top-flight football matches at the stadium formerly known as Kericho Green Stadium.

The facility was renamed Kiprugut Chumo Stadium during the 2023 Mashujaa Day celebrations in honour of Kenya’s first Olympic medalist Wilson Kiprugut Chumo, whose achievements remain a source of inspiration to many young athletes across the country.

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai said the growing number of national sporting events being hosted in the county was contributing to local economic growth through increased business activity in the hospitality, transport and informal sectors.

The governor said the county administration would continue working with the national government and sports stakeholders to improve sporting infrastructure and create opportunities for young athletes.

Also present during the match were Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service, Gilbert Masengeli, APS Director of Sports and Chaplaincy, Ramadhan Omar, Kericho County Commissioner, William Gichure, APS Bomet Board Chairman Bishop, Dr. Fred Akama, Members of County Assembly and senior security officials.

Football stakeholders attending the match said the rise of APS Bomet reflects the increasing competitiveness of the FKF Premier League and the growing contribution of institutional clubs towards improving standards of football in the country.

They noted that disciplined services teams continue to provide a stable environment for player development through professional management structures, organized training programmes and reliable sponsorship support.

Fans who streamed into the stadium from Kericho, Bomet and neighboring counties described the match atmosphere as one of the most vibrant witnessed at the venue in recent months, with drumbeats, chants and cheers dominating the afternoon as supporters rallied behind the home side.

As the FKF Premier League season heads into its decisive phase, APS Bomet’s recent form has transformed the club from relegation candidates into one of the league’s most talked-about teams, with supporters now daring to dream of an even stronger campaign next season.

By Gilbert Mutai