Who Are the Top Accolade Winners at AIFF Awards 2025?

Bhubaneswar, May 2 (NationPress) Subhasish Bose and Soumya Guguloth have been honored as the AIFF Best Men's and Women's Players of the Year for 2024-25 during the All-India Football Federation (AIFF) Awards ceremony held here on Friday. This prestigious event took place in the Odisha capital, coinciding with the eve of the Kalinga Super Cup 2025 final.

In addition to Bose and Guguloth, other notable award recipients included Khalid Jamil (Best Men's Coach), Sujata Kar (Best Women's Coach), Vishal Kaith (Best Men's Goalkeeper), Elangbam Panthoi Chanu (Best Women's Goalkeeper), Brison Fernandes (Promising Men's Player), Toijam Thoibisana Chanu (Promising Women's Player), Venkatesh R (Best Male Referee), Tekcham Ranjita Devi (Best Female Referee), Vairamuthu P (Best Male Assistant Referee), and Riiohlang Dhar (Best Female Assistant Referee).

Subhasish Bose made history by becoming the seventh defender to receive the AIFF Men's Player of the Year Award, joining the ranks of legends like Sandesh Jhingan (2021) and Syed Rahim Nabi (2012). As the captain of Mohun Bagan Super Giant, he had an incredible season, clinching both the ISL Shield and Cup, while also achieving a record for the most clean sheets in a single ISL season. The 29-year-old defender netted six goals for the Mariners and became the first player from West Bengal to win this accolade since Nabi.

Soumya Guguloth, at just 23 years old, has made her mark as the first player from Telangana to earn the AIFF Women's Player of the Year Award. She was the top scorer in the IWL, contributing nine goals to help East Bengal FC secure the championship.

Vishal Kaith was recognized as the Best Men's Goalkeeper after an outstanding season with Mohun Bagan SG, where he achieved a remarkable 15 clean sheets, earning his second ISL Golden Glove. He also made a successful return to the national team after seven years, achieving two clean sheets against Maldives and Bangladesh.

The title of Best Women's Goalkeeper went to Elangbam Panthoi Chanu, who recorded seven clean sheets during East Bengal's triumphant IWL campaign. Having previously won the Promising Women's Player Award in 2017, she also played five matches for India last year.

Midfielder Brison Fernandes earned the Promising Men's Player of the Year Award for his breakout season with FC Goa, scoring seven goals and assisting twice in the ISL. He made his senior India debut in March 2025 against Bangladesh.

The Promising Women's Player of the Year Award was given to Toijam Thoibisana Chanu, an 18-year-old defender who made history as the first center-back to win this honor. She led the Sribhumi FC defense to a third-place finish in the IWL as a newly promoted team, making her senior India debut in December 2024 against Maldives.

Khalid Jamil was awarded the AIFF Men's Coach of the Year for the second consecutive time. In his first full season with Jamshedpur FC, he guided the team to the ISL semi-finals and their first-ever Kalinga Super Cup final, becoming the head coach with the most wins in the club's history.

The AIFF Women's Coach of the Year title was awarded to Sujata Kar, who led newly-promoted Sribhumi FC to a commendable third-place finish in the Indian Women's League for the 2024-25 season.

For the second year in a row, Venkatesh R was recognized as the AIFF Male Referee of the Year. An AFC Elite Referee since 2022, he officiated 17 matches in the ISL this season and also took charge of international fixtures in various AFC tournaments.

Tekcham Ranjita Devi, a FIFA International Referee for seven years, received the AIFF Female Referee of the Year title. She has officiated in both domestic competitions like the IWL and international events such as the AFC U20 Women's Asian Cup.

Vairamuthu P was awarded the AIFF Male Assistant Referee of the Year after officiating 25 matches in the ISL this season, as well as international matches in various AFC tournaments.

Riiohlang Dhar won the AIFF Female Assistant Referee of the Year award, making history in October 2024 by officiating at the FIFA U17 Women's World Cup in the Dominican Republic.

Among the Member Associations, the Western India Football Association (Maharashtra) and the Indian Football Association (West Bengal) distinguished themselves by winning three awards each, showcasing their commitment to football development.

In his address, AIFF President Kalyan Chaubey expressed gratitude to the Government of Odisha for successfully hosting the Kalinga Super Cup 2025, emphasizing the state's top-notch football infrastructure and its dedication to promoting the sport.