The All India Football Federation (AIFF) held
a ceremony where Lallianzuala Chhangte and Indumathi Kathiresan were named the
Male and Female Player of the Year, respectively. The AIFF Awards Night
celebrated the exceptional achievements of Indian football players from the
previous year and was graced by several well-known sports figures.
Lallianzuala Chhangte, a 27-year-old winger for Mumbai City FC, has solidified his position as a key player for his club, having recently renewed his contract to remain with the team until the conclusion of the 2026–27 season. His performance on the field has been instrumental in his club's successes, and his contribution to Indian football has been recognized with this prestigious award. He is the fifth player to win the award multiple times and the highest-scoring Indian in the ISL. On the women's side, Indumathi Kathiresan, a 30-year-old midfielder, has been acknowledged for her prowess and leadership both in the Indian Women's League (IWL), where she represents Odisha FC, and on the national team. Her ability to control the midfield and her overall impact on the game have made her an invaluable asset to her teams and a deserving recipient of the Female Player of the Year award. She is the first player from Tamil Nadu to win the award.
Other awardees include Khalid Jamil of Jamshedpur FC (Best Male Coach of the Year) and Sukla Dutta (Best Female Coach of the Year), who received the Best Female Coach of the Year award for guiding the India U-19 team to victory in the SAFF U-19 Championships. Additionally, David Lahlansanga from the I-League champions, Mohammedan Sporting, was awarded the Most Promising Player of the Year, and Ramachandran Venkatesh and Ujjal Halder were recognized as the Best Referee and Best Assistant Referee, respectively. The ceremony also highlighted the achievements of various Member Associations (MAs) in different categories. The Indian Football Association (West Bengal) was recognized as the Most Successful MA (Club Competitions), while the All Manipur Football Association received the award for Most Successful MA (NFC Competitions). The Punjab Football Association was honored as the Best MA for supporting women's football, and the Football Association of Odisha and the Goa Football Association were jointly recognized as the Best MA for hosting the most AIFF competitions.
The AIFF Awards honor outstanding individual achievements and also commemorate the advancement and prosperity of Indian football. The Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, and the Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Kiren Rijiju, were among the distinguished guests who graced the occasion. These awards symbolize the significant strides taken in Indian football, inspiring players, coaches, and associations to pursue excellence and continue elevating the sport.
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