Nigerian striker Ranti Martins was adjudged the 'Best Player' of the last edition of the I-League, in which he scored 27 goals for Prayag United and topped the scorers' list.
It was double delight for Ranti, as he also won the 'Best Forward' award, beating East Bengal's Chidi Edeh, who placed second in the voting.
Veteran goalkeeper Sandip Nandy, who is pushing 40, was also rewarded for his stupendous showing under the bar for Churchill Brothers as he bagged the 'Best Goalkeeper' award, beating Salgaocar's Karanjit Singh and Dempo's Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, who were second and third respectively.
Talented India international and Churchill Brothers’ medio Lenny Rodrigues also dominated the awards’ list. He finished runner-up to Ranti in the 'Best Player' list but was adjudged 'Best Midfielder'.
The lanky Lenny, a regular feature in India’s starting eleven, was a picture of consistency in midfield and played a huge role in Churchill Brothers winning the I-League this season.
East Bengal's Uga Okpara won the 'Best Defender' award, beating Prayag's Bello Razzaq and Churchill Brothers' Bilal Najjarin.
The winners were decided after voting by all the I-League team coaches and captains.
The ‘Best Coach’ of I-League 2012-13 will be decided in the next AIFF Executive Committee meeting.
The winners (Top-3)
Best player:
1. Ranti Martins (Prayag United)
2. Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill)
3. Douhou Pierre (Pune FC)
Best goalkeeper:
1. Sandip Nandy (Churchill Brothers)
2. Karanjit Singh (Salgaocar)
3. Subhasish Roychowdhury (Dempo)
Best defender:
1. Uga Okpara (East Bengal)
2. Bello Razzak (Prayag United)
3. Bilal Najjarin (Churchill Brothers)
Best midfielder:
1. Lenny Rodrigues (Churchill Brothers)
2. 2nd: Douhou Pierre (Pune FC)
3. Mehtab Hossain (East Bengal)
Best forward:
1. Ranti Martins (Prayag United)
2. Chidi Edeh (East Bengal)
3. James Moga (Pune FC).
Image: Ranti Martins
Photograph: AIFF
