Manisha Kalyan and Sunil Chhetri have been named as the 2021-22 AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year, and Men’s Footballer of the Year, respectively. The two stalwarts were nominated as winners by their respective National Team coaches Thomas Dennerby, and Igor Stimac.
Manisha had won the Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year award for the first time. Manisha had recently signed a multi-year deal with Cyprus’ top-division side Apollon Ladies. It will be competing in the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
Sunil Chhetri won the award for 7th time. Earlier he won the prestigious award in 2007, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2017 and in 2018-19. Chhetri has scored four goals from as many appearances for the national team this year, raising his international goals tally to 84 – only behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi among active footballers.
Martina Thokchom was named Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year, while Vikram Partap Singh was named Men’s Emerging Footballer of the Year by the two National team coaches.
Crystal John was adjudged AIFF Best Referee of the Year, while Ujjal Halder was named the AIFF Best Assistant Referee of the Year.
