India defender Sandesh Jhingan was on Wednesday named the All India Football Federation (AIFF)’s men’s Footballer of the Year, while midfielder Suresh Singh Wangjam was picked as the Emerging Player for the 2020-21 season.
It is the first time that the towering central defender has received this award, having won the Emerging Player award in 2014.
The award winners were chosen on the basis of votes from the Indian Super League and I-League club coaches.
“I take this award as a motivation to do better, and inspire others to follow their passion for the sport. This award comes with a huge responsibility – not to let anyone down,” Jhinghan said.
Jhingan made his senior national team debut in 2015 in Guwahati and had since made 40 appearances for the country, scoring four goals.
He was part of the India teams that won the Intercontinental Cup in 2018 and played a memorable draw with Asian champions Qatar in 2019.
Jhingan has captained the senior team on five occasions, the most recent being the international friendly against Oman in Dubai in March. He was conferred the prestigious Arjuna Award last year.
