Kolkata, November 16: The historic Town Hall in Kolkata witnessed a glittering evening as the Indian Football Association (IFA) hosted its Annual Prize Distribution Ceremony for the 2024–25 season. The event turned into a celebration of Bengal’s footballing spirit, youth development, and championship glory across all age groups and divisions.
Adding unmatched star power to the evening was German legend Lothar Matthaus, a five-time World Cup participant, 1990 World Cup winner, and Ballon d’Or recipient, who is now the brand ambassador of the Bengal Super League. Matthaus not only attended the ceremony but also personally presented medals and trophies to facilitate several champions, including:
- The Sub-Junior Bengal team, winners of the recent National Championship.
- The Bengal U17 squad
- The Senior Bengal Women’s Team, National Championship winners
- The East Bengal senior team, crowned CFL Premier Division champions
His presence elevated the ceremony, inspiring young footballers and acknowledging Bengal’s deep footballing tradition, also amazed about India’s footballing atmosphere he urged to all to come together to move forward.
IFA Honouring Excellence Across Age Groups and Divisions
The IFA recognised outstanding performers from Youth Leagues, Nursery Leagues, Women’s Competitions, and the Calcutta Football League. The awards reflected not only competitive success but also coaching excellence, best referring, fair play, and emerging talent.
Youth League Awards
U17 Category:
- Champion: Keshab Kumar Charitable Trust
- Fair Play Award: North Calcutta Football Academy
U15 Category:
- Best Coach: Gautam Debnath (Bhawanipore FC)
- Champion: Bhawanipore FC
U13 Category:
- Best Coach: Soumyjit Karmakar (Bhawanipore FC)
- Best Promising Player: Sudip Murmu (SKM Sports Foundation, Kalna)
- Runners-Up: Bhawanipore FC
- Champion: Bengal Football Academy
Nursery League Awards
Group B:
- Best Promising Player: Snehasis Chakroborty (Netaji Sangha)
- Outstanding Player: Nilava Chakroborty (East Bengal FC)
- Runners-Up: East Bengal School of Excellence
- Champion: Bishnupur Football Coaching Centre
Group A:
- Best Coach: Sanjay Majhi (New Barrackpore Municipal Sports Academy)
- Most Promising Player: Priyam Mallick – 16 goals (Belgachia Manab Sangha)
- Runners-Up: Mohammedan SC
- Champion: New Barrackpore Municipal Sports Academy
Kanyashree Cup Premier League:
- Fair Play Award: United Sports Kolkata
- Best Coach: Prasanta Bhattacharja (United Kolkata Sports Club)
- Top Goal Scorer: Debolina Roy – 25 goals in 5 matches
- Runners-Up: Police Athletic Club
- Champion: United Kolkata Sports Club
Additional top scorers:
- Sujata Mahato (Sribhumi Sporting) – 9 goals
- Rinku Murmu (Suruchi Sangha) – 9 goals
Calcutta Football League (CFL) Awards
5th Division:
- Group A Runners-Up: Punjab Sports Club
- Group A Champion: BYS Evergreen Club
- Group B Runners-Up: India Club
- Group B Champion: Matua Football Foundation
4th Division:
- Runners-Up: Pearabagan Football Coaching Centre
- Champion: Ariadaha Sporting Club
3rd Division:
- Runners-Up: Cossipore Saraswati Club
- Champion: Sonali Sibir Athletic Club
2nd Division:
- Runners-Up: Bidhannagar Municipal Sports Academy
- Champion: Coal India
1st Division:
- Runners-Up: Sribhumi Football Club
- Champion: United Kolkata Sports Club
Premier Division:
- Best Coach: Bino George (East Bengal FC)
- Top Scorer: Jesin TK – 13 goals
- Runners-Up: Diamond Harbour FC
- Champion: Emami East Bengal FC
Legends in Attendance!
The ceremony carried a nostalgic air with many iconic names from Indian football joining the occasion. Among those present were:
Compton Dutta, Biswajit Bhattacharya, Bhaskar Ganguly, Bidesh Basu, Dipendu Biswas, Goutam Ghosh, Mehtab Hossain, Falguni Dutta, Dipak Mandal, Kartik Sheth, Ranjit Mukherjee, Nasir Ahmed, and several others who have shaped Bengal’s football legacy.
A Night That Celebrated the Past, Present, and Future!
The IFA Annual Prize Ceremony 2024–25 was not just an award function, it was a celebration of Bengal’s ever-growing football culture. From grassroots nurseries to senior champions, every level of the pyramid received recognition and encouragement.
With Lothar Matthaus applauding Bengal’s football structure and the state’s legends blessing the new generation, the event served as a reminder that Bengal remains one of India’s most powerful footballing heartlands.
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