JOIN USDouble delight for East Bengal's Mehtab at FPAI awards
The Indian midfielder won the ‘Best India Player’ award before winning the ‘Fans Player of the Year’ through online voting.
Hussain suffered a slump two seasons ago following a groin injury but he came back in flying colours last season.
Hussain was instrumental in East Bengal’s stupendous success in which they won the Federation Cup, local league and finished runners-up in the I-League.
The midfielder thanked East Bengal coach Morgan for bringing the best out of him.
“I thought I could not play anymore because of this groin injury. “I thank the almighty and then you fans for supporting me all these years,” he said.
Bhaichung Bhutia, who is the FPAI president, could not attend the function because of bad weather in Gangtok.
“Because of bad weather, I am not able to make it to the event. But I wish the event all success,” he said in a message.
Bhutia’s national jersey was auctioned at the programme and it fetched Rs 50,000.
Tennis star Leander Paes, who was among the celebrities, also came forward and signed a football to be auctioned for the victims of Sikkim earthquake. “My heart goes out to Bhai (Bhaichung) and all the brothers in Sikkim,” Paes said.
Karim Bencherifa, who coached Salgaocar to the I-League title, won the ‘Best Coach’ trophy.
The winners: Best Indian Player: Mehtab Hussain (East Bengal); Best Foreign Player: Roberto Mendes Silva (Dempo); Best coach: Karim Bencherifa (Salgaocar); Best Young Player: Jeje Lalpekhula (Pune FC); Fans Player of Asian Cup (online voting): Subrata Paul (Pune FC); Fans Player of Year (online): Mehtab Hussain.