Former city academy lads win AIFF awards

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, September 25

In a proud moment for Chandigarh, Indian National Team goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who is a resident of Mohali, won the 2019-20 All-India Football Federation (AIFF) Men’s Footballer of the Year Award and Anirudh Thapa was adjudged the AIFF Men’s Emerging Footballer of the Year today.

Sandu and Thapa are former trainees of St Stephen’s Football Academy in the city.

This is the first time Sandhu received the prestigious award. With this, he became the second goalkeeper after Subrata Paul in 2009 to be named the AIFF Player of the Year. The Blue Tigers custodian was elected as the winner on the basis of votes from Hero Indian Super League and Hero I-League club coaches.

“I always desired the award. Chhetri-bhai (Sunil Chhetri) has won it so many times and I always thought when I would be worthy of the honour,” said Gurpreet Sandhu.

“I thank the AIFF and everyone who has supported and helped me,” he added. The 28-year-old had also received the Arjuna Award last year.

Meanwhile, Thapa, who won the Emerging Footballer of the Year Award, was also selected as the winner on the basis of votes from Hero Indian Super League and Hero I-League club coaches. “This news is a breath of fresh air for me and my family. I would like to thank the AIFF, all my teammates and the coaching staff in helping me achieve the feat,” said Thapa.

Their coach Surinder Singh from St Stephen’s Academy congratulated both players. “They have made us all proud. Both our trainees have proved that hard work is the key to success. I hope to see them achieve more in life,” said Singh.