Indian men’s football team captain Sunil Chhetri won the AIFF Player of the year award for the 2021-22 season thanks to his consistent performances with the national team. Manisha Kalyan who had a stellar year for the Indian women’s football team won the Player of the year award in the women’s category.

Igor Stimac, the head coach of the senior men’s national team and Thomas Dennerby the head coach for the women’s national team picked the winners in their respective categories.

Mumbai City FC’s Vikram Partap Singh who had a strong breakthrough season for his club in the Hero Indian Super League (ISL) and the AFC Champions League won the Emerging Player of the year award in the men’s category. Martina Thokchom won the Women’s Emerging Player award for 2021-22.

Speaking about Sunil, Stimac explained, “Sunil was our highest goal-scorer, scoring 5 goals, and also the Player of the Tournament in the SAFF Cup. Furthermore, he led from the front scoring 4 goals in 3 games in the 3rd round of AFC Asian Cup qualifiers in Kolkata. His commitment, leadership, discipline and hard work were impressive throughout bad and good times.”

The Croatian was also impressed by Vikram’s performances in the AFC U-23 championships and handed him the emerging player prize.

“He contributed to his club success last season with 22 appearances and 3 goals in the Hero ISL, and also the AFC Champions League. He also played a crucial role in our India’s campaign in the AFC U23 qualifiers for the Asian Cup scoring 1 goal,” he said.

For Chhetri this is the seventh time he has won this award and for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign. Kalyan who won the emerging player of the year award last season continued to impress and bag the prize for the senior player of the year this time around.

Here is the full list of the AIFF awards for the 2021-22 season:

2021-22 AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year: Manisha Kalyan.

2021-22 Men’s Footballer of the Year: Sunil Chhetri.

2021-22 AIFF Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year: Martina Thokchom.

2021-22 Men’s Emerging Footballer of the Year: Vikram Partap Singh.

2021-22 AIFF Best Referee of the Year: Crystal John.

2021-22 AIFF Best Assistant Referee of the Year: Ujjal Halder.