Football legend Ranjit Thapa, who was the Chief Guest at the 3rd MDFA Awards Night 2019 function, mentioned that all the great moments of his illustrious career during his 16-year long association with Mumbai football, keeping flooding back in his memory.
Chief Guest, Ranjit Thapa, a legendary Indian footballer, receives a memento from former Indian goalkeeper Henry Menezes at the MDFA Awards Night function at the Cooperage stadium.
Thapa, who represented the famed Mafatlal Group of Mills from 1968 to 1984 in the Harwood League, admitted that memories of his playing days at the iconic Cooperage ground are still fresh in his mind.
“The sound of my shots hitting the woodwork (goalposts were made of wood), still keep resonating in my head. I enjoyed every challenge from the opponents and loved the comments from the large number of fans. It was always great to perform in front of vociferous spectators and especially those from the rival camp,” the legend told the large gathering of enthusiastic young and old footballers who were present to receive their awards, at the Cooperage football ground.
Besides, the great Thapa who represented India in the 60s and 70s, the others who were present at the function was four-time hockey Olympian Dhanraj Pillay, India’s U-17 World Cup goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh, Junior India striker Anirudh Thapa, ISL player Rahul Bheke and a hosts of former Indian and National level players. Brazilian Jose Ramirez Barreto, a former Mahindra United and Mohun Bagan star was also present.
Also gracing the function was MLA Ashish Shelar, the BJP President (Mumbai Unit), Rakesh Bakshi, Founder of DK Flag Foundation, Bimal Parekh, Director of Mumbai City FC and a host of other dignitaries also presided over the prize distribution ceremony.
The Champions, Runners-up and the Third Place winners of the Women’s League, the First, Second and Third Divisions and the Super and Elite Division Leagues were presented with their respective trophies. In additional individual awards for the best performers (nominees and winners) from all six divisions also received their awards.
The MDFA also presented mementos to the dignitaries, well-wishers for their contribution and support to the association in whatever way, Indian stars and Indian coaches from the city. Three referees who graduated to the National level were also felicitated.
JMJ Sports Club proved to be the most consistent club in the city as for the third successive year they emerged champions winning the First Division title. They won the Third Division title on debut in 2017 and won the Second Division title in 2018.
Mumbai Customs (Elite Division), FC Pune City (Super Divison) and Sparks FC (Women’s League) also emerged champions.
The awards:
Women Division: Champions: Sparks FC; Runner-Up: Football School Of India; Third Place: India Rush Soccer Club.
Fair Play award: Somaiya SA
Best Goalkeeper: Riya Tank (FSI); Best Defender: Arifa Zaheer (FLA); Best Midfielder: Abeer Arshiwala (Sparks FC); Best Striker: Priya Sukhadeva (India Rush SC).
Third Division: Champion: Footie First FC; Runner-Up: Sanpada FC; Third Place: Om Saidham Seva Mandal.
Fairplay: Navkar Fooyball Club.
Best Goalkeeper: Sanath Poyyara (Sanpada FC); Best Defender: Ranson Patel (Footie First FC); Best Midfielder: Ruel Kunder (OSSM); Best Striker: Venkatesh Devkar (Anstrengung United).
Second Division — Champion: Rudra FA; Runner-Up: We Care FC; Third Place: Anushakti Nagar SA.
Fair Play award: BEST Arts & Sports Club.
Best Goalkeeper: Divesh Bharia (Rudra FA); Best Defender: Shubham Pandit (Anushakti Nagar SA); Best Midfielder: Rohit Singh (Rudra FA); Best Striker: Brijal Victor Posa (United Villagers WA).
First Division: Champion: JMJ Sports Club; Runner-Up: D K Pharma; Third Place: Bombay YMCA.
Fair Play award: Franco Sports Football.
Best Goalkeeper: Siddhesh More (Bombay YMCA); Best Defender: Omkar Shinde (DK Pharma); Best Midfielder: Ankit Chavan (JMJ SC); Best Striker: Sajid Ansari (Bombay YMCA).
Super Division: Champion: FC Pune City; Runner-Up: ICL Payyade; Third Place: Iron Born-CFCI.
Fair Play award: Kenkre FC ‘B’.
Individual awards – Best Goalkeeper: Birendra Singh (Reliance FYC); Best Defender: Nikhil Prabhi (FC Pune City); Best Midfielder: Valiyattil Nemil (Reliance FYC.); Best Striker: Asad Khan (ICL Payyade).
Elite Division: Champion: Mumbai Customs; Runner-Up: Air India; Third Place: Central Bank of India.
Fair Play award: Companeroes SC.
Individual awards – Best goalkeeper: Liyaz Koya (Mumbai Customs); Best defender: Lawrence Betgeri; Best Midfielder: Shanon Pereira; Best Striker: Yogesh Kadam (Central Bank).