Eugeneson Lyngdoh of Bengaluru FC and Sandesh Jhingan of Kerala Blasters FC were awarded ‘Best Indian Players’ of I-League and ISL respectively in the seventh edition of Indian Football Awards organised by the Footballer Players’ Association of India (FPAI) here on Sunday. “Cricket maybe the popular sport in India but I want that to change. I’ve always dreamt of playing football,” the 29-year-old midfielder Lyngdoh, who played a key role in Bengaluru’s second-place finish in last season’s last I-League, said.
Lyngdoh received the award from two-time Portugal World Cup player and Atletico de Kolkata marquee player Helder Postiga and Indian football icon Bhaichung Bhutia, one of the founders of FPAI. I-League champions Mohun Bagan’s star Haitian winger Sony Norde was adjudged Best Foreign Player, which was received by his club officials in his absence. Santosh Kashyap, who coached qualifiers Royal Wahingdoh to a third place finish in their debut I-League season, was adjudged ‘Best Coach’.
“I love my players and I also learn things from them. Life is a learning process, I thank my players for voting me. My dream is to coach India,” Kashyap said. Having included ISL in this year’s edition, the franchise tournament’s Best Coach award was given to Antonio Lopez Habas, who helped Atletico de Kolkata win the inaugural edition last year. “It’s for my all players without whom I could not have won the award. The key to success is ‘work, work and work’,” the Spaniard said. Former Kerala Blasters FC forward Iain Hume, who has switched to ATK, won the ‘ISL Best Foreign Player’. The Best Indian Player of ISL was awarded to Kerala Blasters FC defender Sandesh Jhingan, who was called up for the national team after a spectacular show for the runners-up side. Mumbai FC’s Jayesh Rane won the Fans Player of the Year award. “I dedicate this awards to my fans and my parents. I hope to live up to their expectations,” he said.
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