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Want to inspire more young girls, declares Emerging Footballer of the Year Manisha

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Want to inspire more young girls, declares Emerging Footballer of the Year Manisha

New Delhi: At just 19 years of age, Manisha Kalyan has established herself as one of the key members of the Indian Senior Women’s National Team. With her being named the AIFF Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year 2020-21, the youngster stated that the Award inspires her to keep moving forward together and inspire the next generation of girls.

“I used to play in school and at state-level. It was only at 15 or 16 that I realised that can make my way up to the Indian National team. I want that the players who are younger than me they have the right exposure from the very start. Every player I interact with, I tell them that the future of Indian football is bright and getting this Award can serve as an inspiration for them,” she quipped.

Manisha, who has also represented India at U-17 and U-19 levels, continued: “It feels really nice to win this Award. I want to thank the AIFF for bestowing this honour upon me. I have always looked to plan my career step-by-step and winning the Emerging Player Award is something that I always wanted. I hope to keep doing better from here and keep working hard to help my team.”

The forward is honoured to share the spotlight with none other than Bala Devi, who won the AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year 2020-21 award, and Manisha recalled how she always idolized Bala and wants to follow in her illustrious footsteps.

“When I was just starting out, my seniors in Punjab told me about Bala-di and her game. Since then, I have always wanted to meet her and share the pitch with her. I was fortunate that I even became her room partner at a camp and I was really happy about that. I have learned so much from her and hope that I can play abroad like her if the opportunity arises,” she smiled.

“I saw her play at the Nationals along with other National Team players like Aditi-di, Dalima-di, Asha-di, Sangita-di and Sanju-di, and compared my game to theirs. Accordingly, I started preparing myself as I wanted to reach that level and play for the national team.”

Manisha, who hails from Muggowal, a village in the Hoshiarpur district in Punjab, thanked her family and dear ones for their support in her journey so far.

“My parents have always been supportive of me playing football and have always encouraged me to move forward. One more key figure has been Manu-didi, my sister who lives in Delhi. She has helped me in every step of my journey and always motivated me. Everyone in my village loves football and has encouraged me throughout. When I was selected for the India camp for the first time, all of them were very happy and gave me their blessings and confidence.”

Manisha, who also won the Emerging Player award at the Hero Indian Women’s League 2019-20 and went on to win the title with Gokulam Kerala FC, expressed that her full focus now is on doing well for India at the upcoming AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2022 in January.

“The main target for me now is preparing for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. It’s a great opportunity for all of us and everyone is worked extremely hard to get ready and give our best,” she stated.

(AIFF Media)

 

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Women's National Team

Bala Devi, Manisha Kalyan named winners of annual AIFF Awards

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Bala Devi, Manisha Kalyan named winners of annual AIFF Awards

New Delhi: Indian Women’s National Team forward Bala Devi has been named as the AIFF Women’s Footballer of the Year 2020-21, with young gun Manisha winning the AIFF Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year 2020-21 Award.

On receiving the honour, the 31-year-old Bala stated: “I’m so happy to have won this award. A big thank you to the AIFF and all the fans for their support. I’d also like to thank my coaches — both at my club in Rangers, and in the National Team, and also and all the coaches that I’ve played under in the past. A big thank you also to my family and all my teammates for all the support.”

“I arrived in Scotland last year, just before the global lockdown had started, and acclimatising to any new place in such conditions has been extremely difficult. But with their help, I have been able to focus on the things that are most important, and keep myself in top shape, both mentally and physically,” she added.

This marks the third time that the mercurial forward has won this prestigious award, having previously won it two years in a row in 2014 and 2015. Currently playing for Rangers Women’s FC in Scotland, Bala made her debut for the team in February last year and created history as she scored her first competitive goal for the team in December. She remains the first Indian woman footballer to sign a professional contract in Europe.

19-year-old Manisha, who is also a forward, was named the Women’s Emerging Footballer of the Year for the first time and expressed her delight at being named for the honour.

She stated: “Thank you AIFF for choosing me for the emerging player of the year award. This Award motivates me to push further to work harder for my team and achieve our goals.”

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff of the National team who taught me and made me capable enough for this award. I would further extend my gratitude to my teammates without whom the award couldn’t have been possible. My family, my coaches, teachers – a big thank you to all.”

A former India U-17 and U-19 international, Manisha made her senior national team debut against Hong Kong in 2019 and since then, she has gone on from strength to strength. She also received the Emerging Player of the Tournament Award at the 2019-20 Hero Indian Women’s League, where she played a key role in Gokulam Kerala FC’s run to the title.

Both the winners were chosen by the National Team Head Coach Maymol Rocky in consultation with AIFF Interim Technical Director Savio Medeira.

Meanwhile, the AIFF Award for the Best Referee 2020-21 went to Mr. Tejas Nagvencar while Mr. Sumanta Dutta was adjudged for the AIFF Award for the Best Assistant Referee 2020-21.

Mr. Praful Patel, President, AIFF in his message, averred: “I would like to congratulate the award winners for the season as Indian football continues to move forward together. They are inspirations for one and all, and all of us are proud of them and share the joy.”

(AIFF Media)

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