For over a decade, Kenya’s National Super League (NSL) has battled one persistent issue: empty stadiums.Follow Our WhatsApp Channel For More NewsMatch days in the country’s second-tier league have often felt more like ghost town gatherings than football festivals, sucking the life out of what should be passionate, community-driven spectacles.But in Bomet, it appears something remarkable is happening.##NAJAVA_MECA_8931528##APS Bomet, known affectionately as The Black Berets, are defying that trend and setting a new record.Their home ground, the Bomet IAAF Stadium on the outskirts of the town, is now drawing crowds rarely seen in the league.Recent fixtures against Fortune Sacco, Vihiga United, 3K FC, and Nairobi United have seen the stadium packed to near capacity, a sight long missing from the second tierThe average attendance from each match has been tipped to be in the region of 8,000.Rising Stars’ AFCON U20 top scorer reveals why he wears jersey number 14So, what changed?APS Bomet CEO, Madam Rose Chemutai, credits one powerful, yet often overlooked, cultural tool: music.“We realised that to bring people back, we needed to give them more than just football,” Chemutai told Mozzart Sport.##NAJAVA_MECA_8931520##“People in this region love music, and it’s deeply rooted in our culture. So we integrated it into our match day experience, and the results speak for themselves.”By inviting top Kalenjin artists like 2nd Junior Kotestes to perform during halftime shows, the club has managed to turn games into community events, fusing sport, entertainment, and local pride into a vibrant fan experience.##NAJAVA_MECA_8931509##For many, the match now offers both a football fix and a cultural celebration.“It’s also a way of giving a platform to other talents in the community,” she added.“We’re not just building a team—we’re building a movement.”##NAJAVA_MECA_8931524##The initiative has resonated strongly, especially in a region where APS Bomet now stands as the sole NSL representative.With Silibwet Leons relegated and sold last season (2023/2024), and Zoo FC struggling in Division Three, APS has become the region’s football torchbearer.The club now enjoys a massive following from counties like Bomet, Narok, Uasin Gishu, Kericho, and even parts of Kisii.Yet, it was not always this way.TACTICAL ANALYSIS: How 19-year-old rookie secured victory for Sharks against KCBAt the start of the season, turnout was still low, despite the team’s strong performances.But since the turn of the year, the change in approach from quiet pitches to music-infused match days has reinvigorated the fanbase.Chemutai, who has led the team with dedication for over a decade, believes that her close bond with fans has also played a crucial role in building this new momentum.Unlike other club bosses, the administrator is always in the stands and in photo sessions with her fanbase.With six matches left and APS Bomet sitting second on the NSL log with 55 points, the dream of Premier League promotion is within reach.##NAJAVA_MECA_8931524##But the administrator knows the final push will require the unwavering support of their fanbase.“We are on the verge of something special,” she said. “Let’s keep going together.”
