30-Jun-2025
Odisha and India striker Pyari Xaxa was honoured as best Indian woman player of the year by Football Players Association of India (FPAI) yesterday. Nicknamed _ Ferrari _ for her lightning speed, Pyari was not present at the FPAI-hosted Indian Football Awards 2025 at Shillong, Meghalaya as she was on national duty in the AFC Womens Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Thailand.
The 28-year-old Pyari, who hails from Sundargarh district, scored five goals as India mauled Mongolia 13-0 in their opening Group-B match at the Asian Cup Qualifiers earlier on June 23.
India legend Sunil Chhetri, who came back from international retirement at the age of 40, was presented with the Indian Player of the Year award. This was the fifth time that former India captain Chhetri won the FPAI best player award after 2009, 2017, 2018, and 2019.
The FPAI Indian Football Awards recognise the top performers of the season. Winners across categories were selected through a player-led voting process, with active footballers casting their votes. The highest-voted nominee in each category was declared winner.
AWARD LIST:
* Young Player of the Year: Brison Fernandes (FC Goa)
* Foreign Player of the Year: Alaaeddine Ajaraie (NorthEast United FC)
* Indian Player of the Year: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)
* I-League Player of the Year: Edmund Lalrindika (Inter Kashi FC)
* Coach of the Year: Khalid Ahmed Jamil (Jamshedpur FC)
* Woman Indian Player of the Year: Pyari Xaxa (Odisha FC)
* Woman Young Player of the Year: Naorem Priyanka Devi (East Bengal FC)
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PHOTO: Odisha and India woman football star Pyari Xaxa relaxes during AFC Womens Asian Cup 2026 Qualifiers in Thailand. _ Photo Courtesey: The AIFF.
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