Delfiya Pereira of Football Leaders Academy (FLA) and Ranjeet Pandre of Union Bank of India bagged the ‘Best Striker’ awards in the Mumbai District Football Association (MDFA) organised Women’s Football League and Elite Division Football League 2017-2018 respectively. Both, Delfiya and Ranjeet were given an encouraging applause from the large gathering as they received their awards during a glittering MDFA Awards Night 2017-2018 function at the Cooperage Football Stadium.
The ONGC team receives the Elite Division Trophy from Chief Guest, Shabbir Ali during the MDFA Awards Night 2017-2018 function at the Cooperage Football Stadium. Also seen is the other Chief Guest, I.M. Vijayan and MDFA President, Aaditya Thackeray.
However, Oil & Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) team hogged the spotlight as they got the biggest cheers as went on to receive the coveted ‘Elite Division’ trophy and the winners’ cheque of Rs one lakh from Chief Guests, football legend and former Indian captain Shabbir Ali and mercurial ex-Indian striker I.M. Vijayan along with MDFA President, Aaditya Thackeray.
Having finished runners-up in the previous two seasons, ONGC finally emerged champions when they defeated Air India 1-0 in the concluding and title-deciding league match to finish with 31 points, one more than the airmen. Union Bank of India received the award for finishing Third Place.
MDFA President, Aaditya Thackeray (left) presents a memento to Chief Guest, Shabbir Ali during the MDFA Awards Night 2017-2018 function at the Cooperage Football Stadium. Also seen is the other Chief Guest, I.M. Vijayan.
Besides, Shabbir Ali and Vijayan, the other dignitaries present on the occasion was Sunil Kapoor, Chairman & MD, Blue Sea Banquets, Souter Vaz, Hon. Secretary, WIFA, Olympians M.M. Somaya and Merwyn Fernandis, both members of the Indian team that won the hockey Gold medal at the 1980 Moscow Games, to name a few. There were also a large number of Indian stars, both men and women.
Shabbir Ali, whose forte was the ability to beat the rival defenders with his high leap and score goals with his power-packed headers, was all praise of MDFA’s efforts in organising the Awards Night. “During my playing and coaching career I’ve played in many part of the country and after that I’ve attended my football finals and functions, but I’ve never seen such a grand awards night. The top three teams from every division, right from U-12 to the Elite Division, were presented with awards and also players for their individual performances. This is just the right kind of motivation required for the young players to do well,” said the former Tata’s Sports Club striker, who was a big crowd-puller and with his style of play had entertained the football enthusiasts at the Cooperage ground.
Vijayan was also excited on being present at the awards function. “It’s the first time that I have attended such am awards ceremony and I’m excited to be present at this function and watch the players receive their prizes. It brings back memories of my playing days,” said the Kerala striker at the end of the function.
Football Leaders Academy, who retained the Women’s Crown, received their Trophy from Municipal Corporator Urmila Panchal and MDFA Vice-President, Suzzane Chowdhry. Priya Tiwari scored the lone goal as Football Leaders had defeated Football School of India 1-0 in the final.
HDFC Bank received the Super Division champions trophy, while Central Railway won the runners-up prize, while last year’s champs Air India Under-19 won the Third Place prize.
Championship Awards
Women’s – Winners: Football Leaders Academy, Runners-up: Football School of India, Third Place: FC Mumbaikar.
Super Div – Winners: HDFC Bank, Runners-up: Central Railway, Third Place: Air India Under-19.
Elite Div – Winners: ONGC FC, Runners-up: Air India, Third Place: Union Bank of India.
Individual Award Winners
Women – Best striker: Delfiya Pereira (FLA); Best Midfielder: Sujata Kar (FC Mumbaikar); Best Defender: Afreen Peerbhoy (Football School of India); Best Goalkeeper: Shreeya Yadav (Football Leaders Academy).
Super Division – Best striker: Ramesh M. (HDFC Bank); Best Midfielder: Somesh Nair (Air India); Best Defender: Shailesh Jadhav (Bank of India); Best Goalkeeper: Sanjeev Verma (Bank of India).
Elite Division – Best striker: Ranjeet Pandre (Union Bank of India); Best Midfielder: F. Lalmuanpuia (ONGC); Best Defender: Arvind Raj (Air India); Best Goalkeeper: Pravin C. (Air India).