Omanyala joins police service after heroic season
Kenyan sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala has today joined the national police service after a sensation and heroic 2021 season.
Omanyala, who is the current Africa 100 m record holder will now represent the police service and the country in future track events.
The 25-year-old athlete and second-year Bachelor of Science student at the University of Nairobi became a household after his heroics in Lagos, Nigeria where he clocked 10.01 seconds on 30th March 2021 at an athletic event dubbed the 'Making of Champions (MOC) Grand Prix' where he met the qualification for the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Omanyala went on to finish third in the Olympics semi-finals in 10.01 seconds before going on to surpass the 10 seconds mark at the International Josko Laufmeeting, Andorf Austria 2021 with a personal best of 9.86 seconds.
The rugby-player-turned-sprinter went on to clock an impressive African best time of 9.77 seconds, breaking the 9.85s record by South African sprinter Akuni Sembine at the Kip-Keino Classics held at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani on September,18, 2021.
His heroics at the Kip-Keino classic elevated Omanyala to the fastest African man and the 8th fastest of all time in the 100-metre event globally.
He now joins a pool of other elite athletes in the police service including the likes of David Rudisha, Joshua Kamworor, Vivian Cheruiyot, Julius Yego, and the legendary Ezekiel Kemboi among others.
Omanyala was briefed on his new role by Inspector General, Hilary Mutyambai, at his Jogoo house office.
The IG urged Omanyala to maintain his sporting discipline for him to utilise his full potential and at the same time deliver on his new role as a police athlete.
"I wish you well in the service of your country," the IG concluded as he invited Omanyala for an official briefing.
On his part, Omanyala thanked the government for supporting talent, and he promised to repay this kindness with success in the track events.
'It is an honour to serve the National Police Service and I promise to give my best as an athlete," he added, 'I also understand that there is life after sprinting," Omanyala said.
Present to witness his induction was the Dean of Students University of Nairobi Johnson Kinywa and the Student Union (UNSA) Head of Communication, Joshua Sirma.
