Balwant Singh named Indian footballer of the year
SHILLONG: Shillong Lajong midfielder Boithang Haokip, known for his stellar free kicks, was awarded with the Fans’ Player of the Year Award at the Football Players’ Association of India awards show in Kolkata on Tuesday.
Churchill Brothers forward Balwant Singh and Bengaluru FC coach Ashley Westwood were named Best Indian Player and Best Coach, respectively, in the sixth edition of the function.
Boithang’s award was the only one to be adjudged by the fans and Lajong’s supporters came through for their man.
“It is a great honour to win this award and I would like to thank all the football fans across India who voted for me,” the club quoted Boithang as saying.
“I would like to dedicate this award to the fans of Shillong Lajong for supporting me throughout the season. I would also like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone in Shillong Lajong for giving me the opportunity and helping me become a better player. Last but not least, I would like to thank my family and friends for always being there for me.”
Boithang was third in the scorers chart for Lajong, with six goals to his name.
Balwant, who scored 16 goals across all competitions this season, was presented his award by former Indian cricket captain and now co-owner of an Indian Super League football team, Sourav Ganguly.
Westwood, who was not present for the ceremony, picked the Best Coach title for guiding debutants Bengaluru FC to the I-League crown.
SLFC coach Thangboi Singto was nominated for the same award, while striker Cornell Glen was in the running for the Best Foreign Player nod, which went to Salgaocar’s Scottish recruit Darryl Duffy, who topped the I-League scorers list jointly with Bengaluru’s Sunil Chhetri on 14 goals.
It was also a memorable day for Dempo’s attacking midfielder Alwyn George, who won the Young Player Award for second time in a row.
The FPAI also felicitated Olympian PK Banerjee with the Lifetime Achievement Award and former Mohun Bagan forward Jose Ramirez Barreto with a special award for his long contribution to Indian football.
The Brazilian decided to retire at the end of the Second Division I-League, where his team Bhawanipore FC just failed to qualify for the premier division next season, losing out to Royal Wahingdoh FC.