By TwoCircles.net Staff Correspondent,
Kasargode: Kerala’s Muhammed Rafi has been selected as the Best Indian Footballer of the Year by the Football Players Association of India. The award was presented by Bollywood actor John Abraham and All India Football Federation president and Central Minister Praful Patel in a function held in the Taj Palace in New Delhi last night.
Rafi expressed his pleasure at the receipt of the award. “I feel very happy. I had never expected this award. The award is also a challenge to meet the expectations poured upon me. I hope I can conquer many victories in the great jersey of India and render best services in the field for the country,” Rafi said receiving the award. Central Sports Minister MS Gill and representatives of the FIFA and Asian Football Confederation were present at the function. FPAI president and Indian Football captain Baichung Bhutia led the function.
Rafi became the Best Footballer defeating Antony Perera. Having been selected to the Indian team contesting the Asia Cup, Rafi has been with the team training in Portugal for the past two months. Rafi was earlier a striker of the Mahindra United and is now planning to play for the Churchill Brothers. Rafi had scored most number of goals in the last season in the I-league.
Rafi hails from Thrikkarippur in Kasargode district in Kerala. He has played with the Kerala Santhosh Trophy team thrice. His brother Muhammed Rasi plays football for the KSEB and another brother Muhammed Shafi plays for the Viva Kerala.