Name of the sportsperson: Deepak Kumar Mondal

Discipline: Football

Date of birth: 12-10-1979

State:  Jamshedpur Achievements and Awards:

•    Was the member of the team that won ASEAN Cup in 2003.

•    Won Arjuna Award in 2010.

•    Indian Player of the Year in 2002.

Profile:

Deepak Kumar Mondal was born on 13 October 1979 is an Indian professional football player currently playing for Prayag United S.C. He plays as a defender and is known for his high work rate which was rewarded with him winning Indian Player of the Year in 2002. He has played for East Bengal Club, Tata Football Academy and JCT FC.

The Jamshedpur born defender has played in every defensive role both at club and international level with equal consistency. After graduating from the Tata Football Academy in 1998.Deepak Mandal signed for JCT. But he came into the limelight during his spell with East Bengal.

His performances for the red and gold brigade impressed many and in 2001 he made his international debut. Although not the tallest, Deepak is very good in the air but his real strength lies in the tackles and the ability to read the game and make vital interceptions. He won almost every major trophy with East Bengal including the historic ASEAN Cup.

But before winning the ASEAN Cup in 2003, it was the year before that Mandal established himself as one of the best defenders of India. He was at the top of his game while playing for East Bengal but it was in the twin friendlis against Jamaica that Mandal impressed the most. He was adjudged as the 2002 AIFF Player of the Year. Mandal then moved to Mahindra United and constituted the best defence in the country along with Mahesh Gawli, N.S. Manju and Surkumar Singh. Mandal’s performances helped Mahindra win their first ever Federation Cup and National League title.