Indian football: Bala Devi, Sandesh Jhingan win AIFF Footballer of the Year awards

Bala Devi and Sandesh Jhingan won the women’s and men’s AIFF Player of the Year awards, while Manisha Kalyan and Suresh Wangjam won the Emerging Player of the year awards in the two categories.

It was the third time that Bala Devi has won the award but for Jhingan it was the first time after being adjudged the Emerging Player of the Year Award in 2014.

“I’d also like to thank my coaches – both at my club in Rangers, and in the national team, and also and all the coaches that I’ve played under in the past,” Bala Devi said.

“A big thank you also to my family and all my teammates for all the support.”

“I arrived in Scotland last year, just before the global lockdown had started, and acclimatising to any new place in such conditions has been extremely difficult.

“But with their help, I have been able to focus on the things that are most important, and keep myself in top shape, both mentally and physically,” she added.

Currently playing for Rangers FC in Scotland, Bala made her debut for the team in February last year and created history as she scored her first competitive goal for them in December.

She remains the first Indian woman footballer to sign a…

Read more