Jyotsna Suri, President, FICCI and Kushal Das, General Secretary, All India Football Federation (AIFF) presented the 2014 AIFF Award for the Best Woman Footballer to Bala Devi as the Indian Football Awards were presented at the FICCI House in the Capital on Friday (February 13) evening.

Indian Women’s national team striker Bala Devi scored 47 goals in 2014 including 18 goals in international football. Bala is the second Women Player to receive the prestigious Award with Oinam Bembem Devi having won it earlier on both occasions.

An elated Bala thanked AIFF and ist President Praful Patel for the support and dedicated the Award to her teammates, coaches and family. “This Award belongs to them as much it belongs to me. I thank AIFF for the recognition and this motivates me to do better.” Besides the trophy, Bala also received a prize of Rs. 1 lakh.

Six more AIFF Awards were also presented on the occasion including the 2014 AIFF Player of the Year Award which was won by national team captain Sunil Chhetri.

With Chhetri staying busy with his club commitments with defending champions Bengaluru FC in the ongoing Hero I-League, Shanta Gopinath, National Teams Manager, received it on his behalf.

Chhetri was voted the winner by the I-League coaches and this is the fourth time he received it having earlier won it in 2007, 2011 and 2013. In the process he surpassed the legendary IM Vijayan who won the Award, thrice.

In his video message, Chhetri thanked all his coaches, teammates and support staff for making him what he is today.

Besides the trophy, Chhetri also pocketed a prize of Rs. 2 lakh.

Furthermore, Sandesh Jhingan, the winner of the 2014 AIFF Emerging Player of the Year also couldn’t be present due to his club commitments with Sporting Clube de Goa in the ongoing edition of the Hero I-League. Shanta Gopinath, Manager, National Teams, received the Award on Sandesh’s behalf.

Jhingan in his video message stated: “I am honoured and glad to have won this Award. I need to thank all my coaches who believed in me along with all my teammates. The Award motivates me to work harder and be a batter player.”

Besides the trophy, Jhingan also received a prize of Rs. 75000/-.

FIFA Referee Santosh Kumar, a veteran of over 150 domestic matches and 20 international matches was awarded the 2014 AIFF Award for Best Referee. Santosh who hails from Kerala and is an auto driver by profession, stated that it was a “great moment” for him.”

“We have tried to perform well on the field. I enjoy referring. I would like to thank AIFF and the Kerala Football Association for all their support. I would also like to thank all my colleagues,” Santosh said.

Sappam Kennedy, also a FIFA Assistant Referee received the 2014 AIFF Award for the Best Assistant Referee from Kushal Das (General Secretary, AIFF), Jyotsna Suri (President, FICCI) and a host of other dignitaries.

Kennedy, who hails from Manipur has officiated in over 100 domestic matches.

Kennedy said: “I am very happy to have received this Award. Thank you AIFF.”

The AIFF Award for long time contribution was presented to ONGC.

The Award is the recognition of ONGC’s continous support to the ‘Beautiful Game’, from being sponsors of the previous editions of I-League, Nehru Cup and even the National Team sponsor in 2014.

The Tata Football Academy (TFA) had earlier won the Award the first time it was instituted in 2013.

The other Award – 2014 AIFF Award for Best Grassroots Development Programme – was won by Western India Football Association (WIFA). Henry Menezes, CEO, WIFA, received it from Dasho Ugyen Dorji, President, Bhutan Football Federation and Jyotsna Suri, President, FICCI.

The Mizoram Football Association (MFA) had won the Award in 2013, the first time it was instituted.

(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)