Jeje Lalpekhlua named best Indian player for the season
Mohun Bagan forward Jeje Lalpekhlua has lifted the FPAI's “Indian Player of the Year” award after an impressive season with his club and country. The forward, who scored 20 goals in 43 appearances across all tournaments this season, beat the likes of Sunil Chhetri and Bikash Jairu to the award.
The Mizoram-born forward expressed his delight on winning the award five years after winning the FPAI “Young Player of the Year” award back in 2011.
"I thank God, my family and my teammates and coaching staff at Chennaiyin FC and Mohun Bagan. I thank all the players and the FPAI. The biggest inspiration in the last three years for me is myself. I have worked hard a lot after practice sessions," said an ecstatic Jeje, reported Goal.com.
Jeje has been in a rich vein of form in every competition he has participated for his country, club and ISL franchise this season. After guiding Chennaiyin FC to their first ISL title, Jeje’s heroics also helped the Indian national side win the SAFF cup. He then stepped it up in the AFC Cup for Mohun Bagan, netting five times already this season. Jeje will now head to the Maldives, where Mohun Bagan are scheduled to play Maziya in their next AFC Cup tie on Wednesday evening.
Other winners on the night were Bengaluru FC’s triumphant duo of coach Ashley Westwood and exciting youngster Udanta Singh, who won “Coach of the Year” and “Young Player of the Year” awards respectively. East Bengal’s Nigerian striker Ranti Martins won the “Foreign player of the year” award. Debjit Majumder won the "Fan's PLayer of the Year" award.