Kolkata: India football captain Sunil Chhetri was Monday adjudged the ‘Best Sportsperson of the Year’ by the Calcutta Sports Journalists’ Club. The 34-year-old, who is currently taking part in Bengaluru FC’s pre-season training in Spain, will receive the award at the annual programme August 16.
“Recognition always feels good but to be adjudged best by sport journalists makes this one special. That it comes from Kolkata too makes this memorable because not only have I played for three clubs in the city, now I also have a personal connection with the city,” Chhetri said in a statement.
Former Davis Cup coach Akhtar Ali, former India opener Arun Lal and Aroon Ghosh, member of the 1962 Asian Games gold medal winning football team, will be given Lifetime Achievement awards. Bengal pacer Ishan Porel (Junior Sportsperson of the Year), Mohun Bagan’s Shilton Paul (Footballer of the Year), East Bengal’s Mahmoud Al-Amna (Best Foreign Footballer) are the other awardees.
Special awards would also be given to Hima Das for winning the 400m gold in the U-20 World Championship and to Dipa Karmakar for finishing on top on her comeback event in Turkey. Mehuli Ghosh will be given the best shooter award.