New Delhi, April 17 (Hindustan Reporter) Gokulam Kerala FC player Alejandro Sanchez Lopez won the Best Player and Top Scorer awards of I-League 2023-24. López scored 19 goals in 22 league matches and was the top scorer. However his club, Gokulam Kerala FC finished third in the I-League table. The All India Football Federation (AIFF) on Wednesday announced the list of award winners for the I-League 2023-24 season.
Another season of the I-League has come to an end, with Mohammedan Sporting winning their first national league title and securing promotion to the Indian Super League. Mohammedan Sporting had a very good season overall, with many players and the team shining in different areas of the game.
Mohammedan Sporting's Padam Chhetri put in some stellar performances for Kolkata, helping them earn vital points at various stages during the season. He was voted the best goalkeeper of the league. Meanwhile, his teammate Mirajlol Kasimov was named the best midfielder of the season.
Real Kashmir conceded only 19 goals in their 24 matches and their captain Muhammad Hammad played a vital role for them. Hammad was declared the winner of the Jarnail Singh Award for Best Defender.
Nineteen-year-old winger Jimmer Nickum was named the best emerging player of the season. With 15 wins, seven draws and only two losses, Mohammedan Sporting head coach Andrey Chernyshov was awarded the Syed Abdul Rahim Award for the best coach of the season. At the same time, TRAU FC team was given the Fair Play Award.
The list of award winners for I-League 2023-24 is as follows-
Best Player: Alejandro Sanchez Lopez (Gokulam Kerala FC – Prize money Rs 1 lakh)
Best Goalkeeper: Padam Chhetri (Mohammedan Sporting Prize Money – Rs 1 lakh only)
Jarnail Singh Award for Best Defender: Muhammad Hammad (Real Kashmir FC – Rs 1 lakh only)
Best Midfielder: Mirjalol Kasimov (Mohammedan Sporting – Rs 1 lakh only)
Top Scorer: Alejandro Sanchez Lopez (Gokulam Kerala FC-19 Goal) (Rs 1 lakh only)
Best Emerging Player: Gyamar Nikum (Inter Kashi – Rs 1 lakh only)
Syed Abdul Rahim Award for Best Coach: Andrey Chernyshov (Mohammedan Sporting)
Fair Play Contest Winner: TRAU FC (Rs. One Lakh Only)
Best Match Organisation: Mohammedan Sporting (Rs 1 lakh only)
Participating club with best media handling: Mohammedan Sporting (Rs 1 lakh only)