Rafi voted Best Indian footballer

NEW DELHI - Striker Mohammed Rafi, who plays for Churchill Brothers, Goa, has been voted the ‘Best Indian Footballer’, while Okolie Odafe was chosen as the ‘Best Foreign Footballer’ of the year.

Joaquim Abranches won the ‘Best Young Player’ award, while the ‘Best Coach’ award went to Armando Colaco of Dempo Sports Club, Goa. National captain and FPAI president Baichung Bhutia was honoured for his contribution to Indian Football.

The awards were given by Lucozade Football Players’ Association of India (FPAI).

Asian Football Confederation (AFC) president Mohammed bin Hammam, AIFF president Praful Patel, Sports Minister M.S. Gill and many other sports personalities were present at the occasion.

Later, briefing media, Bhutia said that the main focus of their association right now is the welfare of the players.

“What we are trying to focus is welfare of the players and guide the players in the right directions. We will have lot of people at the moment we have lot of expert people from different parts of the life coming forward and giving lectures and advices on different issues to the football players,” he added.

Bhutia further said he is also planning to open a Football Academy in West Bengal and Sikkim.

“We are trying to start a Football Academy in Bengal and Sikkim, which is gonna be absolutely non-profitable thing, which we are still working. We have applied for the lands to both the governments. I think it’s in a very good stage where we should be able to get it,” he added. (ANI)