New Delhi: Like last year, doubts have been raised about credibility of the 2025 AIFF awards as well with some members questioning the criteria used to determine the winners announced at a function in Bhubaneswar on May 2.
Apart from all top AIFF officials including president Kalyan Chaubey, Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo were present on the occasion, whose sanctity has now been doubted by the Goa Football Association.
GFA didn’t receive any recognition at the annual ceremony, prompting its president Caitano Fernandes to shot off a letter to his AIFF counterpart on Tuesday “about the skewed and unjustified manner in which the AIFF Awards were selected and handed out”.
“While I extend my sincere congratulations to all the deserving award winners and Member Associations recognised during the event,” Fernandes wrote.
“I also write with a sense of anguish and a need for clarity regarding the selection process and the rationale behind the award categories, particularly those for Member Associations.
“Specifically, I would like to understand who within the AIFF, or which specific committee, was responsible for deciding the AIFF award categories for Member Associations for the year 2025.”
‘Skewed method’
Fernandes pointed out that how Goa, with approximately 6800 players registered on AIFF’s centralised registration system (CRS) out of a population of 15 lakh (roughly 1% of the state’s population) was overlooked for the winning members association, whose registrations amount to 0.04% of its population (5 lakh out of a population of 127 million).
Goa also organised over 1400 matches this season, ie, 3.88 matches per day, despite being a state with an area of only 3.702 square kilometres and l5 lakh population and has a well structured calendar and club structure with approximately 200 clubs registered, which is one club every 18.75 square kilometres.
“We feel that this is a very skewed method of identifying the winner in this category because the smaller states will always fall behind even though technically football is more popular amongst the populace,” was Fernandes’ observation.
“We are probably the only state that organises l6 leagues and have a well structured youth competition for both boys and girls, which was even commended by the (AIFF) League Committee.”
Not only Goa, an official of another state also disclosed to News9 Sports that they were told to expect four awards but didn’t receive so many, leading him to wonder the equations at play, particularly now that the Supreme Court has hinted at elections.
Criteria sought
Such murmurs did the rounds even after last year’s awards ceremony too, which Fernandes raised while asking for the criteria to be sent “to ascertain whether the basis for recognition is consistent or seemingly arbitrary”.
“I request detailed information regarding the criteria used for these awards and the composition of the committee that was entrusted with the selection process,” he said.
“In this context, I would greatly appreciate it if you could share a copy of the minutes of the relevant committee or the Executive Committee meeting regarding the decision regarding the AIFF Awards 2025 categories and selection criteria for Member Associations was finalised.
“Many member associations across the country are diligently working to promote and develop football at the grassroots and state levels. It is disheartening when the contributions of those who are doing commendable work appear to be overlooked.”
Last year, Goa and Odisha were declared joint winners of the ‘Best MA for hosting most AIFF competitions’ award.
“Furthermore, I would also like to inquire about the award categories from the previous year, the AIFF Awards 2024 held in Delhi. Could you please share information on those categories and criteria used?
“Therefore, I earnestly request you to provide me with all the relevant details pertaining to the AIFF Awards 2024 and 2025 for Member Associations, including the decision-making process, the criteria used, and the committee involved at your earliest convenience.”
AIFF’s deputy secretary general M Satyanarayan wasn’t immediately available for comments on the matter.
The 2024-25 AIFF member association award winners
Most Successful MA (Club Competitions): Indian Football Association (West Bengal)
Most Successful MA (NFC Competitions): All Manipur Football Association and Indian Football Association (West Bengal)
Best MA for hosting most AIFF competitions: Assam Football Association, Indian Football Association (West Bengal) and Karnataka State Football Association
MA with most player registrations (men’s): Western India Football Association (Maharashtra)
MA with most player registrations (women’s): Western India Football Association (Maharashtra)
Special Award for MA launching new projects: Kerala Football Association and Nagaland Football Association
MA with most Grassroots activities: Western India Football Association (Maharashtra)
MA with most Coaching courses: Punjab Football Association
MA with most Refereeing courses: Kerala Football Association
GFA president Caitano Fernandes shot off a letter to his AIFF counterpart Kalyan Chaubey “about the skewed and unjustified manner in which the AIFF Awards were selected and handed out”. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
