New Delhi: Indian football team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu and midfielder Sanju Yadav have won the AIFF Player of the Year 2019-20, in men’s and women’s category respectively.
Gurpreet had one of his finest seasons for his club Bengaluru FC and for his country. Previously he bagged the ‘Golden Gloves’ in the 2019-20 ISL season and his heroics in the match against Asian Champions Qatar during a World Cup qualifier match is still fresh in the memory of every fan who follows Indian football. He is the second goalkeeper after Subrata Paul (who won it in 2009) to win this award.
“There was always a desire to reach this point and this is an Award which I have always looked up to. Chhetri-bhai (Sunil Chhetri) has won it so many times and I have always thought when I can be worthy enough to win it,” Gurpreet said.
“Garnering the all-important draw against Asian Champions Qatar in Doha, eleven clean sheets in last Indian Super League edition, winning the Golden Glove award could not have been possible without the team,” he added.
Sanju too had a good last season. She won the Indian Women’s League with Gokulam Kerala last season and has been regular in the national team. She also won the emerging player award in 2016. “Personally, it’s a big milestone for me. This award is proof that all the hard work that we have been doing over the last few years has indeed paid off,” Sanju said.
“I’d like to thank the seniors in our team. All of them have been an immense help to me and have helped me cope with the rigours of international football. I’d also like to thank Maymol ma’am for allowing me the time and the opportunity to grow within the team and express myself on the pitch,” she added.
Anirudh Thapa won the Emerging Player of the year in the men’s category this season making it two times in a row. In the women’s category, Ratanbala Devi won the Emerging Player of the year award, who has been an important player in the national team.
