Eric Kapaito was the star of the moment in the just concluded Football Kenya Federation Premier (FKF) League 2021 Awards Gala, after winning the two most coveted categories in the world of football.
Securing the Golden Boot and the Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award, the Kariobangi Sharks forward, took home a whopping 1.5 million shillings in cash reward.
Good tidings followed the new celebrated talisman in the just concluded FKF league, when Kariobangi Sharks won the fair play award.
However, the defending champions Tusker F.C reigned supreme again, this time in the Award Gala by producing winners in the Coach of the Year, Manager of the Year, Defender of the Year, Young Player of the Year, and Digital Team of the Year Categories.
The Young Player protégé, Henry Meja Atola and the Best Defender. Eugene Asike Ambuchi. Under the tutelage of the Best Coach, Robert Matano, will be the combination to watch, as the team prepares to defend its title, when the next league season resumes.
Gor Mahia’s Lawrence Juma, enjoyed the limelight on the big stage too, by winning the Midfielder of the Year Award and becoming the 2nd runners-up in the Golden Boot Race. He took home a total of Sh450, 000.
The Golden Glove, which shared the same cash reward as the Golden Boot, President Award and Coach of the Year category of Sh500, 000, went to Ulinzi Stars’ first choice goalkeeper, James Saruni.
The new category, the President’s Award, was given to the late Rosemary Aluoch Kadondi who was a Former Harambee Starlets goalkeeper and subsequent team kit manager.
The officials were also feted as the Referee and Assistant Referee of the Year Awards went to Peter Waweru Kamaku and Mary Njoroge respectively, bearing cash rewards of Sh.300, 000 each.
Category winners from the Coach of the Year, Golden Glove and MVP each received a 55 inch Television, courtesy of StarTimes, with the latter additionally getting three nights in Mombasa courtesy of Bonfire Adventures.
Bonfire Adventures also gifted the Golden Glove and Golden Boot categories with two nights in the Maasai Mara.
By Michael Omondi
