Captain Fantastic! Sunil Chhetri wins 2017 AIFF Player of the year award

Indian football team captain Sunil Chhetri won the 2017 AIFF Player of the year award after being an inspiration to the team and whole of India.

Chhetri became only the second Indian international to play 100 games after Bhaichung Bhutia. The 33-year-old plays for Bengaluru FC at club level, and has been a big role model to all the young players in India. Trying his level best to promote the sport in the country, Chhetri is also the all-time top goalscorer for the Indian national team, with 64 goals in 101 appearances. 

With him, Kamala Devi was adjudged the 2017 AIFF woman Player of the Year. Young Anirudh Thapa, who was impressive in the four-nation Intercontinental Cup, won the 2017 Emerging Player of the Year award.

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The winners

2017 AIFF Award for Best Grassroots Development Programme: Kerala FA.
2017 AIFF Award for Best Assistant Referee: Sumanta Datta (Assam).
2017 AIFF Award for Best Referee: C R Srikrishna.
2017 AIFF Emerging Woman Footballer of the Year: E Panthoi.
2017 AIFF Emerging Player of the Year: Anirudh Thapa.
2017 AIFF Woman Footballer of the Year: Kamala Devi.
2017 AIFF Player of the Year: Sunil Chhetri.