Western Stima Striker Omala Becomes First Student To Win LG/SJAK Player Award

NAIROBI, Kenya- History was made on Wednesday as high school student Benson Omala was awarded the LG/Sports Journalists Association of Kenya Player of the Month Award for December.

The 17-year old striker who turns up for Kenya Premier League (KPL) side Western Stima FC became the first schoolboy to ever win the coveted award for his tremendous form for his club.

Omala, a form four student at Kisumu Day High School, managed to net five goals to compel SJAK Football Commission to a unanimous decision of granting him the award that came along with a 49-inch smart television screen from title sponsors, electronic firm LG.

“I thank my coach for believing and nurturing me and I am glad I repaid their faith by showing my brilliance and scoring goals which is a striker’s primary target,” the form four student said after receiving the award in the presence of his schoolmates at their school.

Among the many firsts he pulled in December, Omala become the first Western Stima player to score a hat trick in a league match, a 4-1 demolition of Zoo FC.

He became just the third player from Stima to win the award since its inception six years ago, following the footsteps of now Gor Mahia FC captain Kenneth Muguna in 2015 and Wesley Kemboi in 2016.

“I’d like to score more goals if I get game time and be among the top scorers. My ambitions are to play for the national team.

“I already scored two goals for the Under 20 national team in CECAFA and I’m glad I was called up to the senior team despite not making the final cut. I want to tell Kimanzi that he will see more of me,” Omala stated.

Stima are currently in seventh place with 30 points after 17 matches, and are on a two-match losing streak and will need to pick up the pace in their next fixture against bottom club Chemelil.