MARGAO: Eugenson Lyngdoh has been voted as the AIFF Player of the Year 2015.
All India Football Federation President Praful Patel made the announcement at an annual general body meeting held, here, on Sunday.
Lyngdoh was chosen the winner on basis of votes from coaches of I-League clubs. The award carries prize money of Rs 2 lakh, besides the glittering Trophy.
An elated Lyngdoh said that he was “honoured” on being chosen as the player of the year.
“The fact that I was voted by the I-League coaches makes it all the more special for me. This is just a motivation to do better,” he stated.
Furthermore, Bala Devi was declared the AIFF Woman Footballer of the Year 2015. The 25-year old would be presented a prize of Rs 1 lakh besides a trophy.
“I thank the AIFF for their constant support and help. I revere the awards lauded to me by the AIFF a lot and these are the things which matter the most to you as a player,” she told.
Meanwhile, Pritam Kotal was declared the AIFF Emerging Player of the Year.
Kotal thanked AIFF for the “recognition.”
“As a Player it’s my duty to give my best. Being conferred with such an Award means a lot to me. The recognition motivates me further,” he maintained.
AIFF also introduced a new Award — the AIFF merging Woman Footballer of the Year and it was bagged by Pyari Xaxa.
“The AIFF Emerging Woman Player of the Year award means the world to me and I am so happy that I could achieve this. I thank the AIFF for their constant support and exposure. And without a platform provided by the AIFF, I don’t know where I would be,” Pyari opined.
Furthermore, Football Association of Odisha (FAO) bagged the AIFF Award for Best Grassroots Programme.
The AIFF award for long time contribution to Indian football was awarded to Coca Cola.
Meanwhile, C.R. Srikrishna won AIFF Award for Best Referee’ while the AIFF Award for Best Assistant Referee was awarded to Sapam Knnedy.
