Indumathi and Chhangte Crowned AIFF Players of the Year

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) recently held its annual awards ceremony after a seven-year hiatus, recognizing the outstanding achievements of individuals and teams in Indian football. Indumathi Kathiresan and Lallianzuala Chhangte emerged as the top honorees, while Khalid Jamil was acknowledged for his exceptional coaching skills.

Indumathi, a 30-year-old midfielder from Tamil Nadu, became the first player from her state to win the Women's Player of the Year award. Her impressive performances with Gokulam FC and Odisha FC in the Indian Women's League, as well as her contributions to the national team, earned her the prestigious recognition.

Chhangte, a 2023-24 ISL winner with Mumbai City FC, retained his Player of the Year title for the second consecutive year. The 25-year-old forward scored 11 goals and provided assists during the season, making him the highest-scoring Indian in the ISL. He also found the net against Qatar in the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers.

Khalid Jamil, the coach of Jamshedpur FC, was named the Best Men's Coach. Despite taking charge of the club mid-season, he guided them to their first-ever semifinal appearance in the Kalinga Super Cup.

Other award winners included Sukla Dutta (Best Women's Coach), David Lalhlansanga (Promising Men's Player), Neha (Promising Women's Player), Ramachandran Venkatesh (Best Referee), and Ujjal Halder (Best Assistant Referee).

The event was graced by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and AIFF officials. It marked a significant milestone in Indian football, recognizing the hard work, dedication, and achievements of the sport's top performers.

Tags: #IndianFootball, #AIFF, #IndumathiKathiresan, #LallianzualaChhangte, #KhalidJamil