Shillong, May 2: Riiohlang Dhar (pictured) was named Female Assistant Referee of the Year for 2024-25 at the All India Football Federation awards function, which was held in Bhubaneswar today.
Just a few days ago Dhar was named on the roster of next month’s AFC Women’s Champions League 2024-25 semifinals and final in China, which would make her the first Indian to officiate at the continental club championship.
Dhar, a FIFA-level assistant referee, has officiated at numerous international events over the years. She became only the second Indian match official at a World Cup at last year’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in the Dominican Republic. 2024 also saw Dhar, a serving policewoman in the Meghalaya Police, appointed as an official at the AFC U-17 Women’s Asian Cup in Indonesia.
Today’s awards are separate from those announced on 1st May, which were for the I-League alone.
Subhasish Bose and Soumya Guguloth were named the AIFF Best Men’s and Women’s Players of the Year 2024-25.
Apart from Dhar, Bose and Guguloth, the other individual award winners were Khalid Jamil (Best Men’s Coach), Sujata Kar (Best Women’s Coach), Vishal Kaith (Best Men’s Goalkeeper), Elangbam Panthoi Chanu (Best Women’s Goalkeeper), Brison Fernandes (Promising Men’s Player), Toijam Thoibisana Chanu (Promising Women’s Player), Venkatesh R (Best Male Referee), Tekcham Ranjita Devi (Best Female Referee) and Vairamuthu P (Best Male Assistant Referee).
Bose became only the seventh defender to win the AIFF Men’s Player of the Year Award after Sandesh Jhingan (2021), Syed Rahim Nabi (2012), Gouramangi Singh (2010), Surkumar Singh (2006), Deepak Mondal (2002) and VP Sathyan (1995).
Bose captained Mohun Bagan Super Giant in a sensational season, winning both the ISL Shield and Cup, while breaking the record for most clean sheets in an ISL season. The 29-year-old also scored six goals for the Mariners. Bose became the first player from West Bengal to win the award since Nabi in 2012.
Guguloth became the first player from Telangana to win the AIFF Women’s Player of the Year Award. The 23-year-old winger was the Indian top scorer of the IWL this season, netting nine goals to help her side, East Bengal FC, win the title.
Kaith was named the Best Men’s Goalkeeper after a historic and record-breaking campaign between the sticks for Mohun Bagan. He won his second ISL Golden Glove after amassing 15 clean sheets this season and also became the first goalkeeper to reach a half-century of clean sheets in ISL history. Kaith marked his return to the national team starting line-up after seven years with two clean sheets against Maldives and Bangladesh.
The Best Women’s Goalkeeper was awarded to Panthoi. The 29-year-old kept seven clean sheets in East Bengal’s IWL-winning campaign. Panthoi, who won the Promising Women’s Player Award in 2017, played five matches for India in the past year.
Midfielder Fernandes picked up the Promising Men’s Player of the Year Award. The 24-year-old had a breakthrough season for FC Goa, scoring seven goals and providing two assists in the ISL. Fernandes made his senior India debut in March 2025 against Bangladesh.
The Promising Women’s Player of the Year Award went to 18-year-old defender Thoibisana, who became the first centre-back ever to win this award. She commanded the Sribhumi FC backline as they finished third in the IWL as a newly-promoted side. Thoibisana made her senior India debut in December 2024 against Maldives.
Jamshedpur FC head coach Jamil was awarded the AIFF Men’s Coach of the Year for the second time running. In his first full season with the Red Miners, he led them to the semifinals of the ISL and a maiden Kalinga Super Cup final, which will be played on Saturday. Jamil has become the head coach with the most wins in Jamshedpur FC’s history.
The AIFF Women’s Coach of the Year was awarded to Kar, who coached newly-promoted Sribhumi FC to a third-place finish in the IWL 2024-25.
Venkatesh was awarded the AIFF Male Referee of the Year for the second time in a row. He has been an AFC Elite Referee since 2022 and officiated 17 matches in the ISL this season. He also officiated international matches in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, AFC U17 Asian Cup 2024, AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers and AFC Challenge League 2024-25.
Devi, a FIFA International Referee for seven years, was awarded the AIFF Female Referee of the Year. Apart from officiating in domestic tournaments like the IWL and the Rajmata Jijabai Trophy for Senior Women’s NFC, she refereed internationally in the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup 2024 and FIFA friendlies in Nepal.
Vairamuthu was awarded the AIFF Male Assistant Referee of the Year. He officiated 25 matches in the ISL this season. Internationally, he officiated matches in the AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers, AFC U17 Asian Cup 2024, AFC U20 Asian Cup Qualifiers, and AFC Challenge League 2024-25.
Among the member associations, Western India Football Association (Maharashtra) and the Indian Football Association (West Bengal) stood out as shining examples, winning three awards each.
Most Successful MA (Club Competitions): Indian Football Association (West Bengal)
Most Successful MA (NFC Competitions): All Manipur Football Association and Indian Football Association (West Bengal)
Best MA for hosting most AIFF competitions: Assam Football Association, Indian Football Association (West Bengal) and Karnataka State Football Association
MA with most player registrations (men’s): Western India Football Association (Maharashtra)
MA with most player registrations (women’s): Western India Football Association (Maharashtra)
Special Award for MA launching new projects: Kerala Football Association and Nagaland Football Association
MA with most Grassroots activities: Western India Football Association (Maharashtra)
MA with most Coaching courses: Punjab Football Association
MA with most Refereeing courses: Kerala Football Association
(Photo contributed)
