Odisha’s Sasmita Malik chosen ‘2016 Woman Footballer of the Year’

Odisha Sun Times Bureau
New Delhi, Dec 21:

Odisha’s Sasmita Malik has been chosen as the ‘2016 Woman Footballer of the Year by the All India Football Federation (AIFF).

This was announced by AIFF president Praful Patel at the AIFF Annual General Body Meeting held at New Delhi today.

Sasmita will get Rs 2 lakh in cash besides a trophy, according to a media release by AIFF.

Malik, 27, hails from Aloha, a small village in Kendrapara district of Odisha.

She is a midfielder who won the national championship with Railways and was part of the national team that won gold in the South Asian championships beating Nepal 4-0.

Mohun Bagan and Chennaiyin FC striker Jeje Lalpekhlua has been nominated as the ‘2016 All India Football Federation Player of the Year, the release said.

He will get Rs 2.5 lakh in cash and a trophy.

While Rowllin Borges has been declared as the ‘2016 AIFF Emerging Player of the Year’, Sanju, an integral part of the team who won the South Asian Games 2016, will be honoured with the ‘2016 AIFF Emerging Woman Footballer of the Year’ award.

India and Stabaek FC goalie Gurpreet Singh, who played in a Europa League qualifier and Uvena Fernandes who was an assistant referee in the women’s under-17 World Cup final between Japan and North Korea in Jordan will each get special awards, worth Rs 1 lakh and a trophy. (With IANS inputs)