I-League: Curtis Osano is BFC ‘Player of the Season’

Bangalore: Airtel I-League champions Bengaluru FC gave a fitting end to what has been a historic season with the ‘BFC Awards Night’ at the Leela Palace, in Bangalore, on Tuesday, the Club informed in a statement.

The awards, meant to recognise and reward some special performances within the club in its debut season saw central defender Curtis Osano walk away with the ‘Players’ Player of the Year’ award while Sean Rooney’s thunderbolt against Mohun Bagan at the Salt Lake Stadium was adjudged the ‘Goal of the Season’.

The black tie event, hosted by multifaceted performer Ash Chandler, was attended by a host of celebrities and eminent sportspersons that included multiple Grand Slam winner Mahesh Bhupathi, Davis Cupper Rohan Bopanna and badminton star Ashwini Ponappa among others.

Twenty-year-old Siam Hanghal won the poll for ‘Fan’s Player of the Year’ while young Prashant Kalinga was named ‘Under-19 Player of the Year’.

Bengaluru FC skipper Sunil Chhetri grabbed the honours for ‘Highest Goal Scorer of the Season’.

“When I was handed my new position on the left I was terribly upset since I had never played there. I scored in my first start for the club against Rangdajied United but went on a long goalless streak. But there were people who backed me and never gave up on me and I would like to thank them for that,” said Chhetri who, with 14 goals, was also the joint top scorer of the League.

Osano, who received his award from BFC chairman Sajjan Jindal, was happily surprised at receiving the honour.

“It feels brilliant that my teammates think this of me. I don’t think I can say anything more than ‘thank you’,” said an emotional Osano, who with John Johnson, formed the most formidable central defending pair the League has seen this season. Johnson picked up the ‘Goal of the Season’.


List of awards

Players’ Player of the Season: Curtis Osano

Fan’s Player of the Season: Siam Hanghal

Best Goal of the Season: Sean Rooney [vs Mohun Bagan]

Highest Goal Scorer of the Season: Sunil Chhetri

Under-19 Player of the Season: Prashant Kalinga